U.S. patent application number 14/243535 was filed with the patent office on 2015-04-16 for psma-targeting compounds and uses thereof.
This patent application is currently assigned to THE JOHNS HOPKINS UNIVERSITY. The applicant listed for this patent is THE JOHNS HOPKINS UNIVERSITY. Invention is credited to YING CHEN, RONNIE C. MEASE, MARTIN G. POMPER, Sangeeta Ray.
Application Number | 20150104387 14/243535 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 42740262 |
Filed Date | 2015-04-16 |
United States Patent
Application |
20150104387 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
POMPER; MARTIN G. ; et
al. |
April 16, 2015 |
PSMA-TARGETING COMPOUNDS AND USES THEREOF
Abstract
Prostate-specific membrane antigen (PSMA) targeting compounds
are described. Uses of the compounds for imaging, therapy, cell
sorting, and tumor mapping are also described.
Inventors: |
POMPER; MARTIN G.;
(BALTIMORE, MD) ; MEASE; RONNIE C.; (FAIRFAX,
VA) ; CHEN; YING; (TIMONIUM, MD) ; Ray;
Sangeeta; (Ellicott City, MD) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
THE JOHNS HOPKINS UNIVERSITY |
Baltimore |
MD |
US |
|
|
Assignee: |
THE JOHNS HOPKINS
UNIVERSITY
BALTIMORE
MD
|
Family ID: |
42740262 |
Appl. No.: |
14/243535 |
Filed: |
April 2, 2014 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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13257499 |
Sep 19, 2011 |
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PCT/US2010/028020 |
Mar 19, 2010 |
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14243535 |
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61161485 |
Mar 19, 2009 |
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61161484 |
Mar 19, 2009 |
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61248067 |
Oct 2, 2009 |
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61248934 |
Oct 6, 2009 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
424/1.65 ;
424/9.6; 435/29; 514/183; 514/359; 514/414; 514/454; 514/457;
514/492; 514/64; 540/474; 548/255; 548/405; 548/455; 549/390;
549/399; 556/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A61K 49/0052 20130101;
A61K 51/044 20130101; C07D 255/02 20130101; A61K 51/0472 20130101;
C07F 5/027 20130101; A61P 35/00 20180101; C07D 213/04 20130101;
C07F 13/005 20130101; C07D 257/02 20130101; C07D 209/12 20130101;
C07D 311/20 20130101; C07D 209/14 20130101; C07D 311/82 20130101;
C07D 311/14 20130101; C07D 249/04 20130101; G01N 33/5091 20130101;
A61K 51/0421 20130101; A61K 51/0446 20130101; A61K 51/0453
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
424/1.65 ;
548/255; 424/9.6; 514/359; 540/474; 514/183; 549/390; 514/454;
556/1; 514/492; 548/455; 514/414; 548/405; 514/64; 549/399;
514/457; 435/29 |
International
Class: |
C07F 5/02 20060101
C07F005/02; A61K 49/00 20060101 A61K049/00; A61K 51/04 20060101
A61K051/04; G01N 33/50 20060101 G01N033/50; C07D 311/82 20060101
C07D311/82; C07F 13/00 20060101 C07F013/00; C07D 209/12 20060101
C07D209/12; C07D 311/20 20060101 C07D311/20; C07D 249/04 20060101
C07D249/04; C07D 257/02 20060101 C07D257/02 |
Goverment Interests
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional
Application Nos. 61/161,484 filed Mar. 19, 2009, 61/161,485, filed
Mar. 19, 2009, 61/248,067, filed Oct. 2, 2009, and 61/248,934,
filed Oct. 6, 2009. The entire content of each Provisional
Application is hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety.
This invention was made using U.S. Government support under NIH
grant NIH U24 CA92871. The government has certain rights in this
invention.
Claims
1. A compound having the structure ##STR00096## wherein the
subunits associated with elements p, q, r, and s may be in any
order; Z is tetrazole or CO.sub.2Q; each Q is independently
selected from hydrogen or a protecting group, a is 1, 2, 3, or 4; R
is each independently H or C.sub.1-C.sub.4 alkyl; r is 0 or 1; Tz
is a triazole group selected from the group consisting of
##STR00097## L.sup.1 is ##STR00098## L.sup.2 is ##STR00099##
X.sup.1 is --NRC(O)--, --NRC(O)NR--, --NRC(S)NR--, or --NRC(O)O--;
X.sup.2 is --C(O)NR--, --NRC(O)NR--, --NRC(S)NR--, or --OC(O)NR--;
R.sup.5 is H, CO.sub.2H, or CO.sub.2R.sup.6, where R.sup.6 is a
C.sub.1-C.sub.6 alkyl, C.sub.2-C.sub.12 aryl, or C.sub.4-C.sub.16
alkylaryl; b is 1, 2, 3, or 4; d is 1, 2, 3, or 4; q is O or 1; W
is --NRC(O)--, --NRC(O)NR--, NRC(S)NR--, --NRC(O)O--, --OC(O)NR--,
--OC(O)--, --C(O)NR--, or --C(O)O-- R.sup.2 and R.sup.3 are
independently H, CO.sub.2H, or CO.sub.2R.sup.4, where R.sup.4 is a
C.sub.1-C.sub.6 alkyl, C.sub.2-C.sub.12 aryl, or C.sub.4-C.sub.16
alkylaryl, wherein if one of R.sup.2 and R.sup.3 is CO.sub.2H or
CO.sub.2R.sup.4, then the other is H; n is 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 or 6; s is
O or 1; Y is --C(O)--, --NRC(O)--, --NRC(S)--, --OC(O)--; m is 1,
2, 3, 4, 5, or 6; p is O, 1, 2, or 3, and when p is 2 or 3, each
R.sup.1 may be the same or different; R.sup.1 is H, C.sub.1-C.sub.6
alkyl, C.sub.2-Ci.sub.2 aryl, or C.sub.4-C.sub.16 alkylaryl; G is a
moiety selected from the group consisting of ##STR00100## where Ch
is a metal chelating moiety, optionally including a chelated metal;
FG is a fluorescent dye moiety which emits in the visible or near
infrared spectrum; one of A and A.sup.1 is Ch and the other is FG;
V and V' are independently --C(O)--, --NRC(O)--, --NRC(S)--, or
--OC(O)--; and g is 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, or 6; with the condition that:
when G is ##STR00101## and r is 0, then q and s are both 1; when G
is ##STR00102## and r is 0, then q and s are both 0 or both 1;
##STR00103## when G is then p is 0 and R.sup.2 is H, and the
structure optionally includes a chelated metal ion; Ch when G is
##STR00104## and r is 0, then if p is 0, then one of R.sup.2 and
R.sup.3 is CO.sub.2R.sup.4, and the other is H; and when g is
##STR00105## then r is 0.
2. A compound according to claim 1 having the structure
##STR00106## wherein Z is tetrazole or CO.sub.2Q; each Q is
independently selected from hydrogen or a protecting group, a is 1,
2, 3, or 4; R is each independently H or C.sub.1-C.sub.4 alkyl, Ch
is a metal chelating moiety optionally including a chelated metal;
W is --NRC(O)--, --NRC(O)NR--, NRC(S)NR--, --NRC(O)O--,
--OC(O)NR--, --OC(O)--, --C(O)NR--, or --C(O)O-- Y is --C(O)--,
--NRC(O)--, --NRC(S)--, --OC(O); V is --C(O)--, --NRC(O)--,
--NRC(S)--, or --OC(O)--; m is 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, or 6; n is 1, 2, 3,
4, 5 or 6; p is 0, 1, 2, or 3, and when p is 2 or 3, each R.sup.1
may be the same or different; R.sup.1 is H, C.sub.1-C.sub.6 alkyl,
C.sub.2-C.sub.12 aryl, or C.sub.4-C.sub.16 alkylaryl R.sup.2 and
R.sup.3 are independently H, CO.sub.2H, or CO.sub.2R.sup.4, where
R.sup.4 is a C.sub.1-C.sub.6 alkyl, C.sub.2-C.sub.12 aryl, or
C.sub.4-C.sub.16 alkylaryl, wherein when one of R and R is
CO.sub.2H or CO.sub.2R.sup.4, the other is H, and when p is 0, one
of R.sup.2 and R.sup.3 is CO.sub.2R.sup.4, and the other is H.
3. A compound according to claim 2 selected from the group
consisting of ##STR00107##
4-23. (canceled)
24. A compound according to claim 1 wherein Ch is selected from the
group consisting of ##STR00108## ##STR00109## ##STR00110##
##STR00111##
25. (canceled)
26. A compound according to claim 1, having a chelated metal,
wherein the chelated metal is Tc, In, Ga, Y, Lu, Re, Cu, Ac, Bi,
Pb, Sm, Sc, Co, Ho, Gd, Eu, Tb, or Dy.
27. (canceled)
28. (canceled)
29. A compound according to claim 2 selected from the group
consisting of ##STR00112## ##STR00113## ##STR00114##
##STR00115##
30. (canceled)
31. (canceled)
32-44. (canceled)
45. (canceled)
46. (canceled)
47. (canceled)
48. (canceled)
49. (canceled)
50. A compound according to claim 1 having the structure
##STR00116## where p, q, and s are in the order drawn, and q and s
are either both 0 or both 1; wherein Z is tetrazole or CO.sub.2Q;
each Q is independently selected from hydrogen or a protecting
group, a is 1, 2, 3, or 4; FG is a fluorescent dye moiety which
emits in the visible or near infrared spectrum; R is each
independently H or C.sub.1-C.sub.4 alkyl; V is --C(O)-- or
--NRC(O)-- or --NRC(S)--; m is 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, or 6; n is 1, 2, 3,
4, 5 or 6; W is --NRC(O)--, --NRC(O)NR--, NRC(S)NR--, --NRC(O)O--,
--OC(O)NR--, --OC(O)--, --C(O)NR--, or --C(O)O-- R.sup.2 and
R.sup.3 are independently H, CO.sub.2H, or CO.sub.2R.sup.4, where
R.sup.4 is a C.sub.1-C.sub.6 alkyl, C.sub.2-C.sub.12 aryl, or
C.sub.4-C.sub.16 alkylaryl, wherein if one of R.sup.2 and R.sup.3
is CO.sub.2H or CO.sub.2R.sup.4, then the other is H; Y is
--C(O)--, --NRC(O)--, --NRC(S)--, --OC(O); p is O, 1, 2, or 3, and
when p is 2 or 3, each R.sup.1 may be the same or different;
R.sup.1 is H, Cj-C.sub.6 alkyl, C.sub.2-Ci.sub.2 aryl, or
C.sub.4-C.sub.16 alkylaryl R.sup.2 and R.sup.3 are independently H,
CO.sub.2H, or CO.sub.2R.sup.4, where R.sup.4 is a C.sub.1-C.sub.6
alkyl, C.sub.2-C.sub.12 aryl, or C.sub.4-C.sub.16 alkylaryl,
wherein when one of R.sup.2 and R.sup.3 is CO.sub.2H or
CO.sub.2R.sup.4, the other is H.
51. A compound according to claim 50 selected from the group
consisting of ##STR00117## wherein Z is tetrazole or CO.sub.2Q;
each Q is independently selected from hydrogen or a protecting
group, a is 1, 2, 3, or 4 FG is a fluorescent dye moiety which
emits in the visible or near infrared spectrum; R is each
independently H or Ci-C.sub.4 alkyl; V is --C(O)-- or --NRC(O)-- or
--NRC(S)--; W is --NRC(O)--, --NRC(O)NR--, NRC(S)NR--, --NRC(O)O--,
--OC(O)NR--, --OC(O)--, --C(O)NR--, or --C(O)O-- Y is --C(O)--,
--NRC(O)--, --NRC(S)--, --OC(O); a is 1, 2, 3, or 4; m is 1, 2, 3,
4, 5, or 6; n is 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 or 6; p is 0, 1, 2, or 3, and when p
is 2 or 3, each R.sup.1 may be the same or different; R.sup.1 is H,
C.sub.1-C.sub.6 alkyl, C.sub.2-C.sub.12 aryl, or C.sub.4-C.sub.16
alkylaryl R.sup.2 and R.sup.3 are independently H, CO.sub.2H, or
CO.sub.2R.sup.4, where R.sup.4 is a C.sub.1-C.sub.6 alkyl,
C.sub.2-C.sub.12 aryl, or C.sub.4-C.sub.16 alkylaryl, wherein when
one of R.sup.2 and R.sup.3 is CO.sub.2H or CO.sub.2R.sup.4, the
other is H; ##STR00118##
52-74. (canceled)
75. A compound according to claim 1 wherein FG is a fluorescent dye
moiety which emits in the near infrared spectrum.
76. A compound according to claim 1 wherein FG comprises
carbocyanine, indocarbocyanine, oxacarbocyanine, thiacarbocyanine
and merocyanine, polymethine, coumarine, rhodamine, xanthene,
fluorescein, boron-dipyrromethane (BODIPY), Cy5, Cy5.5, Cy7,
VivoTag-680, VivoTag-S680, VivoTag-S750, AlexaFluor660,
AlexaFluor680, AlexaFluor700, AlexaFluor750AlexaFluor790, Dy677,
Dy676, Dy682, Dy752, Dy780, DyLight547, Dylight647, HiLyte Fluor
647, HiLyte Fluor 680, HiLyte Fluor 750, IRDye 800CW, IRDye 800RS,
IRDye 700DX, ADS780WS, ADS830WS, and ADS832WS.
77. A compound according to claim 1 wherein FG has the a structure
selected from the group consisting of ##STR00119## ##STR00120##
78. A compound according to claim 50 selected from the group
consisting of ##STR00121## ##STR00122## ##STR00123##
##STR00124##
79. A compound according to claim 1 having the structure
##STR00125## wherein Z is tetrazole or CO.sub.2Q; each Q is
independently selected from hydrogen or a protecting group, a is 1,
2, 3, or 4; one of A and A' is Ch and the other is FG, where FG is
a fluorescent dye moiety which emits in the visible or near
infrared spectrum and Ch is metal chelating moiety optionally
including a chelated metal. R is each independently H or
C.sub.1-C.sub.4 alkyl; V or V' are independently --C(O)--,
--NRC(O)--, or --NRC(S)--; W is --NRC(O)--, --NRC(O)NR--,
NRC(S)NR--, --NRC(O)O--, --OC(O)NR--, --OC(O)--, --C(O)NR--, or
--C(O)O-- Y is --C(O)--, --NRC(O)--, --NRC(S)--, --OC(O); m is 1,
2, 3, 4, 5, or 6; n is 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 or 6; g is 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, or
6; p is 0, 1, 2, or 3, and when p is 2 or 3, each R.sup.1 may be
the same or different; R.sup.1 is H, C.sub.1-C.sub.6 alkyl,
C.sub.2-C.sub.12 aryl, or C.sub.4-C.sub.16 alkylaryl R.sup.2 and
R.sup.3 are independently H, CO.sub.2H, or CO.sub.2R.sup.4, where
R.sup.4 is a C.sub.1-C.sub.6 alkyl, C.sub.2-C.sub.12 aryl, or
C.sub.4-C.sub.16 alkylaryl, wherein when one of R.sup.2 and R.sup.3
is CO.sub.2H or CO.sub.2R.sup.4, the other is H.
80. A compound according to claim 79 having the structure selected
from the group consisting of ##STR00126##
81-102. (canceled)
103. A compound according to claim 79 having the structure
##STR00127##
104-112. (canceled)
113. A compound according to claim 79 having the structure
##STR00128##
114. A compound according to claim 1 having the structure
##STR00129## wherein the subunits associated with elements p, q, r,
and s may be in any order; Z is tetrazole or CO.sub.2Q; each Q is
independently selected from hydrogen or a protecting group, a is 1,
2, 3, or 4; R is each independently H or C.sub.1-C.sub.4 alkyl, r
is 1 Tz is a triazole group selected from the group consisting of
##STR00130## L.sup.1 is ##STR00131## L.sup.2 is ##STR00132##
X.sup.1 is --NRC(O)--, --NRC(O)NR--, NRC(S)NR--, or --NRC(O)O--;
X.sup.2 is --C(O)NR--, --NRC(O)NR--, NRC(S)NR--, or --OC(O)NR--;
R.sup.5 is H, CO.sub.2H, or CO.sub.2R.sup.6, where R.sup.6 is a
C.sub.1-C.sub.6 alkyl, C.sub.2-C.sub.12 aryl, or C.sub.4-C.sub.16
alkylaryl; b is 1, 2, 3, or 4; d is 1, 2, 3, or 4; q is 0 or 1; W
is --NRC(O)--, --NRC(O)NR--, NRC(S)NR--, --NRC(O)O--, --OC(O)NR--,
--OC(O)--, --C(O)NR--, or --C(O)O-- n is 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 or 6;
R.sup.2 and R.sup.3 are independently H, CO.sub.2H, or
CO.sub.2R.sup.4, where R.sup.4 is a C.sub.1-C.sub.6 alkyl,
C.sub.2-C.sub.12 aryl, or C.sub.4-C.sub.16 alkylaryl, wherein if
one of R.sup.2 and R.sup.3 is CO.sub.2H or CO.sub.2R.sup.4, then
the other is H; s is 0 or 1; Y is --C(O)--, --NRC(O)--, --NRC(S)--,
--OC(O); m is 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, or 6; p is 0, 1, 2, or 3, and when p
is 2 or 3, each R.sup.1 may be the same or different; R.sup.1 is H,
C.sub.1-C.sub.6 alkyl, C.sub.2-C12 aryl, or C.sub.4-C.sub.16
alkylaryl; G.sup.1 is a moiety selected from the group consisting
of ##STR00133## where Ch is a metal chelating moiety, optionally
including a chelated metal; FG is a fluorescent dye moiety which
emits in the visible or near infrared spectrum; one of A and A' is
Ch and the other is FG; V is --C(O)--, --NRC(O)--, --NRC(S)--, or
--OC(O)--; and g is 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, or 6.
115. A compound according to claim 114 having the structure
selected from the group consisting of ##STR00134##
116-145. (canceled)
146. A method of imaging one or more cells, organs or tissues by
exposing the cell to or administering to an organism an effective
amount of a compound according to claim 1, where the compound
includes a fluorescent dye moiety, or a metal isotope suitable for
imaging.
147. A method of treating a tumor comprising administering a
therapeutically effective amount of a compound according to claim
1, where the compound includes a therapeutically effective
radioisotope.
148. A method for sorting cells by exposing the cells to a compound
according to claim 1, where the compound includes a fluorescent dye
moiety, followed by separating cells which bind the compound from
cells which do not bind the compound.
149. A method for intraoperative tumor mapping comprising
administering an effective amount of a compound according to claim
1, where the compound includes a fluorescent dye moiety.
150. A kit comprising a compound according to claim 1.
Description
BACKGROUND
[0002] 1. Field of the Invention
[0003] The present invention relates to prostate specific membrane
antigen (PSMA) binding compounds, chemical precursors of PSMA
binding compounds and imaging methods of using the compounds.
[0004] 2. Background
[0005] Prostate cancer (PCa) is the most commonly diagnosed
malignancy and the second leading cause of cancer-related death in
men in the United States (Cancer Facts & Figures; American
Cancer Society: Atlanta, Ga., 2009). In 2009, it is estimated that
192,000 men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer and 27,000 men
will die of the disease. Only one half of tumors due to PCa are
clinically localized at diagnosis and one half of those represent
extracapsular spread. Localization of that spread as well as
determination of the total body burden of PCa have important
implications for therapy, particularly as new combination and focal
therapies become available.
[0006] The prostate-specific membrane antigen (PSMA), while
expressed in prostate tumor epithelium, has a curious property in
that it is expressed in the neovasculature of many solid tumors but
not in that of prostate cancer (Chang et al., Cancer Res., vol. 59,
pp. 3192-3198, 1999; Chang et al., Clin. Cancer Res., vol. 5, pp.
2674-2681, 1999; Gong et al., Cancer Metastasis Rev., vol. 18, pp.
483-490, 1999; Chang et al., Mol. Urol., vol. 3, pp. 313-320, 1999;
Baccala et al., Urology, vol. 70, pp. 385-390, 2007; Chang et al.,
Urology, vol. 57, pp. 801-805, 2001 Milowsky et al., J. Clin.
Oncol., vol. 25, pp. 540-547, 2007). Because of that property, an
.sup.111In-labeled monoclonal antibody to an extracellular epitope
of PSMA, .sup.111In-J591, was capable of identifying renal,
bladder, lung, breast, colorectal and pancreatic tumors in a Phase
I clinical imaging study (Milowsky et al., J. Clin. Oncol., vol.
25, pp. 540-547, 2007). That study validated .sup.111In-J591 as a
vascular targeting agent in human subjects. Since then other
reports have further studied PSMA expression in certain tumor
types. Baccala et al. noted that clear cell renal cell carcinoma
expresses significantly more PSMA in its neovasculature than does
the papillary variety (Baccala et al., Urology, vol. 70, pp.
385-390, 2007). Furthermore, angiomyolipoma, a benign renal lesion,
did not express PSMA. As an enzyme with an extracellular active
site, PSMA represents an excellent target for imaging and therapy
directed toward solid tumor neovasculature in addition to prostate
cancer itself. PSMA-based agents can report on the presence of this
marker, which is increasingly recognized as an important prognostic
determinate in PCa (Murphy et al., Urology, vol. 51, pp. 89-97,
1998). It is also the target for a variety of new PCa therapies
(Galsky et al., J Clin Oncol, vol. 26, pp. 2147-2154, 2008).
[0007] ProstaScint.TM. is an .sup.111In-labeled monoclonal antibody
against PSMA that is clinically available for imaging PCa.
Radioimmunotherapy based on ProstaScint.TM. and radiolabeled
variations of this antibody are fraught with similar difficulties
to the use of radiolabeled antibodies for imaging, including
prolonged circulation times, poor target to nontarget tissue
contrast, unpredictable biological effects and the occasional need
for pre-targeting strategies, limiting the utility of these agents
(Lange, P. H., Urology, vol. 57, pp. 402-406, 2001; Haseman et al.,
Cancer Biother Radiopharm, vol. 15, pp. 131-140, 2000; Rosenthal et
al., Tech Urol, vol. 7, pp. 27-37, 2001). Furthermore, antibodies
may have less access to tumor than low molecular weight agents,
which can be manipulated pharmacologically.
[0008] The development of low molecular weight radiotherapeutic
agents is much different from developing radiopharmaceuticals for
imaging in that longer tumor residence times can often be important
for the former.
[0009] Complete detection and eradication of primary tumor and
metastatic foci are required to effect a cure in patients with
cancer; however, current preoperative assessment often misses small
metastatic deposits. More sensitive imaging techniques than
computed tomography, magnetic resonance imaging and even positron
emission tomography (PET), which can be used easily in the
operating suite, are required. An old technique, recently revisited
because of improved optics and fluorescent dye chemistry, is
intraoperative photodiagnosis (PDD) (Toda, Keio J. Med., vol. 57,
pp. 155-161, 2008). Fluorescein dyes have been used
intraoperatively to identify brain tumors and verify the clarity of
tumor margins since 1948 (Toda, Keio J. Med., vol. 57, pp. 155-161,
2008). A recent report describes its utility in identifying brain
metastases (Okuda et al., Minim. Invasive Neurosurg., vol. 50, pp.
382-384, 2007). A long history of the use of 5-aminolevulinic acid
(5-ALA) for brain tumor resection is also evident, and its use has
been associated with improvement in progression-free survival
(Stummer et al., Lancet Oncol., vol. 7, pp. 392-401, 2006). PDD can
be performed easily during surgery due to the lack of a need for
complex imaging equipment. All that is needed is a light-emitting
diode to excite the fluorophore, which can be administered
systemically or "painted" on the tissue directly. More recent
incarnations of PDD have used quantum dots (Arndt-Jovin et al.,
IEEE Trans Nanobioscience, 2009), and more advanced dyes, such as
indocyanine green (ICG) (Gotoh et al., J. Surg. Oncol., 2009),
which emit in the near-infrared (NIR) region of the spectrum,
enabling reasonable tissue penetration of emitted (and detected)
light. Applications have included nontargeted approaches, such as
preoperative evaluation of the vascular integrity of surgical flaps
or identification of nodules of hepatocellular carcinoma (Matsui et
al., Plast. Reconstr. Surg., vol. 123, pp. 125e-127e, 2009).
Targeted approaches are also emerging, such as use of a
fluorophore-conjugated anti-CEA antibody to identify colon or
pancreatic cancer (Kaushal et al., J. Gastrointest. Surg., vol. 12,
pp. 1938-1950, 2008), or the use of NIR activatable probes that
emit light only when cleaved by a tumor-associated protease (Sheth
et al., Gynecol. Oncol., vol. 112, pp. 616-622, 2009).
[0010] Recently, the application of .sup.68Ga-labeled peptides has
attracted considerable interest for cancer imaging because of the
physical characteristics of Ga-68 (Reubi et al., J Nucl Med, vol.
49, pp. 1735-1738, 2008). Ga-68 is available from an in-house
.sup.68Ge/.sup.68Ga generator (.sup.68Ge, t.sub.1/2=270.8 day),
which renders it independent of an onsite cyclotron. Therefore,
.sup.68Ga-based PET agents possess significant commercial potential
and serve as a convenient alternative to cyclotron-based isotopes
for positron emission tomography (PET), such as .sup.18F, or
.sup.124I. .sup.68Ga has a high positron-emitting fraction (89% of
its total decay). The maximum positron energy of .sup.68Ga (max.
energy=1.92 MeV, mean=0.89 MeV) is higher than that of .sup.18F
(max=0.63 MeV, mean=0.25 MeV). However, a study of spatial
resolution using Monte Carlo analysis revealed that under the
assumption of 3 mm spatial resolution for most PET detectors, the
full-width-at-half-maximum (FWHM) of .sup.18F and .sup.68Ga are
indistinguishable in soft tissue (3.01 mm vs. 3.09 mm)
(Sanchez-Crespo et al., Eur J Nucl Med Mol Imaging, vol. 31, pp.
44-51, 2004). That finding implies that with the standard spatial
resolution of 5 to 7 mm for current clinical scanners, image
quality using .sup.68Ga-based radiotracers will likely be
indistinguishable from that of .sup.18F-based agents, stimulating
interest in the development of .sup.68Ga-labeled compounds for
medical imaging (Sanchez-Crespo et al., Eur J Nucl Med Mol Imaging,
vol. 31, pp. 44-51, 2004; Khan et al., Eur J Surg Oncol, vol. 35,
pp. 561-567, 2009; Fani et al., Contrast Media Mol Imaging, vol. 3,
pp. 67-77, 2008). With a physical half-life of 68 min, .sup.68Ga is
also matched nicely to the pharmacokinetics of many peptides used
for imaging. Few .sup.68Ga-labeled, mechanism-based radiotracers
for prostate cancer have been reported previously, and none for
PSMA. Furthermore, .sup.68Ga is introduced to biomolecules through
macrocyclic chelators, which allows possible kit formulation and
wide availability of the corresponding imaging agents.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0011] The present invention satisfies the long standing and unmet
need for new imaging and therapeutic compounds for targeting
prostate cancer and cancer angiogenesis. The present invention, in
particular, provides therapeutic compounds and imaging agents which
differ from the prior art in modifications which were not
previously known or suggested. Furthermore, the invention provides
imaging agents that offer better contrast between target tissues
and non-target tissues. The invention also provides compounds with
greater cellular retention and low molecular weight.
[0012] Embodiments of the invention include compounds having the
structure
##STR00001##
[0013] wherein the subunits associated with elements p, q, r, and s
may be in any order. Z is tetrazole or CO.sub.2Q; each Q is
independently selected from hydrogen or a protecting group, a is 1,
2, 3, or 4, and R is each independently H or C.sub.1-C.sub.4
alkyl.
[0014] Variable r is 0 or 1. Tz is a triazole group selected from
the group consisting of
##STR00002##
X.sup.1 is --NRC(O)--, --NRC(O)NR--, --NRC(S)NR--, or --NRC(O)O--;
X.sup.2 is --C(O)NR--, --NRC(O)NR--, --NRC(S)NR--, or --OC(O)NR--;
R.sup.5 is H, CO.sub.2H, or CO.sub.2R.sup.6, where R.sup.6 is a
C.sub.1-C.sub.6 alkyl, C.sub.2-C.sub.12 aryl, or C.sub.4-C.sub.16
alkylaryl; b is 1, 2, 3, or 4; and d is 1, 2, 3, or 4.
[0015] Variable q is 0 or 1. W is --NRC(O)--, --NRC(O)NR--,
NRC(S)NR--, --NRC(O)O--, --OC(O)NR--, --OC(O)--, --C(O)NR--, or
--C(O)O--; R.sup.2 and R.sup.3 are independently H, CO.sub.2H, or
CO.sub.2R.sup.4, where R.sup.4 is a C.sub.1-C.sub.6 alkyl,
C.sub.2-C.sub.12 aryl, or C.sub.4-C.sub.16 alkylaryl, wherein if
one of R.sup.2 and R.sup.3 is CO.sub.2H or CO.sub.2R.sup.4, then
the other is H; n is 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 or 6.
[0016] Variable s is 0 or 1. Y is --C(O)--, --NRC(O)--, --NRC(S)--,
--OC(O); and m is 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, or 6.
[0017] Variable p is 0, 1, 2, or 3, and when p is 2 or 3, each
R.sup.1 may be the same or different. R.sup.1 is H, C.sub.1-C.sub.6
alkyl, C.sub.2-C.sub.12 aryl, or C.sub.4-C.sub.16 alkylaryl.
[0018] G is a moiety selected from the group consisting of
##STR00003##
where Ch is a metal chelating moiety, optionally including a
chelated metal; FG is a fluorescent dye moiety which emits in the
visible or near infrared spectrum; one of A and A' is Ch and the
other is FG; V and V' are independently --C(O)--, --NRC(O)--,
--NRC(S)--, or --OC(O)--; and g is 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, or 6. The
following conditions also apply: [0019] 1) when G is
##STR00004##
[0019] and r is 0, then q and s are both 1; [0020] 2) when G is
##STR00005##
[0020] and r is 0, then q and s are both 0 or both 1; [0021] 3)
when G is
##STR00006##
[0021] then p is 0 and R.sup.2 is H, and the structure optionally
includes a chelated metal ion. [0022] 4) when G is
##STR00007##
[0022] and r is 0, then if p is 0, then one of R.sup.2 and R.sup.3
is CO.sub.2R.sup.4, and the other is H; and [0023] 5) when g is
##STR00008##
[0023] then r is 0.
[0024] Embodiments include compounds having the structure
##STR00009##
wherein Z is tetrazole or CO.sub.2Q; each Q is independently
selected from hydrogen or a protecting group, a is 1, 2, 3, or 4,
and R is each independently H or C.sub.1-C.sub.4 alkyl. Ch is a
metal chelating moiety optionally including a chelated metal. W is
--NRC(O)--, --NRC(O)NR--, NRC(S)NR--, --NRC(O)O--, --OC(O)NR--,
--OC(O)--, C(O)NR--, or --C(O)O--. Y is C(O)--, --NRC(O)--,
--NRC(S)--, --OC(O). V is C(O)--, NRC(O)--, NRC(S)--, or OC(O)--.
In exemplary embodiments m is 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, or 6; n is 1, 2, 3, 4,
5 or 6; and p is 0, 1, 2, or 3, and when p is 2 or 3, each R.sup.1
may be the same or different. R.sup.1 is H, C.sub.1-C.sub.6 alkyl,
C.sub.2-C.sub.12 aryl, or C.sub.4-C.sub.16 alkylaryl. R.sup.2 and
R.sup.3 are independently H, CO.sub.2H, or CO.sub.2R.sup.4, where
R.sup.4 is a C.sub.1-C.sub.6 alkyl, C.sub.2-C.sub.12 aryl, or
C.sub.4-C.sub.16 alkylaryl, wherein when one of R.sup.2 and R.sup.3
is CO.sub.2H or CO.sub.2R.sup.4, the other is H, and when p is 0,
one of R.sup.2 and R.sup.3 is CO.sub.2R.sup.4, and the other is
H.
[0025] Some embodiments further include a chelated metal. In some
embodiments, the chelated metal is Tc, In, Ga, Y, Lu, Re, Cu, Ac,
Bi, Pb, Sm, Sc, Co, Ho, Gd, Eu, Tb, or Dy. In some embodiments, the
chelated metal an isotope, for example. In some embodiments, the
isotope is Tc-94m, Tc-99m, In-111, Ga-67, Ga-68, Y-86, Y-90,
Lu-177, Re-186, Re-188, Cu-64, Cu-67, Co-55, Co-57, Sc-47, Ac-225,
Bi-213, Bi-212, Pb-212, Sm-153, Ho-166, or Dy-166. Embodiments
include compounds having the structure
##STR00010##
optionally including a chelated metal ion. Z is tetrazole or
CO.sub.2Q; each Q is independently selected from hydrogen or a
protecting group, and a is 1, 2, 3, or 4. R is each independently H
or C.sub.1-C.sub.4 alkyl. W is --NRC(O)--, --NRC(O)NR--,
NRC(S)NR--, --NRC(O)O--, --OC(O)NR--, --OC(O)--, --C(O)NR--, or
--C(O)O--. Y is --C(O)--, --NRC(O)--, --NRC(S)--, --OC(O)--;
[0026] In exemplary embodiments m is 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, or 6; n is 1,
2, 3, 4, 5 or 6; q is 0 or 1; and s is 0 or 1. R.sup.3 is H,
CO.sub.2H, or CO.sub.2R.sup.4, where R.sup.4 is a C.sub.1-C.sub.6
alkyl, C.sub.2-C.sub.12 aryl, or C.sub.4-C.sub.16 alkylaryl. Some
embodiments further include a chelated metal ion. In some
embodiments, the metal ion is Tc, Re, Cu, or Ga. In some
embodiments, the metal ion is Tc-99m, Re-186, Re-188, Cu-64, or
Ga-68. In some embodiments, the metal ion is Tc-99m.
[0027] Embodiments include compounds having the structure
##STR00011##
where p, q, and s are in the order drawn, and q and s are either
both 0 or both 1. Z is tetrazole or CO.sub.2Q; each Q is
independently selected from hydrogen or a protecting group, and a
is 1, 2, 3, or 4. FG is a fluorescent dye moiety which emits in the
visible or near infrared spectrum. R is each independently H or
C.sub.1-C.sub.4 alkyl. V is --C(O)-- or --NRC(O)-- or --NRC(S)--. W
is --NRC(O)--, --NRC(O)NR--, NRC(S)NR--, --NRC(O)O--, --OC(O)NR--,
--OC(O)--, --C(O)NR--, or --C(O)O--. Y is --C(O)--, --NRC(O)--,
--NRC(S)--, --OC(O). In exemplary embodiments m is 1, 2, 3, 4, 5,
or 6; n is 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 or 6; p is 0, 1, 2, or 3, and when p is 2
or 3, each R.sup.1 may be the same or different. R.sup.1 is H,
C.sub.1-C.sub.6 alkyl, C.sub.2-C.sub.12 aryl, or C.sub.4-C.sub.16
alkylaryl. R.sup.2 and R.sup.3 are independently H, CO.sub.2H, or
CO.sub.2R.sup.4, where R.sup.4 is a C.sub.1-C.sub.6 alkyl,
C.sub.2-C.sub.12 aryl, or C.sub.4-C.sub.16 alkylaryl, wherein when
one of R.sup.2 and R.sup.3 is CO.sub.2H or CO.sub.2R.sup.4, the
other is H. In some embodiments, the fluorescent dye moiety emits
in the near infrared spectrum.
[0028] Embodiments include compounds having the structure
##STR00012##
wherein Z is tetrazole or CO.sub.2Q; each Q is independently
selected from hydrogen or a protecting group, and a is 1, 2, 3, or
4. One of A and A' is Ch and the other is FG, where FG is a
fluorescent dye moiety which emits in the visible or near infrared
spectrum and Ch is metal chelating moiety optionally including a
chelated metal. R is each independently H or C.sub.1-C.sub.4 alkyl.
V or V' are independently --C(O)--, --NRC(O)--, or --NRC(S)--. W is
--NRC(O)--, --NRC(O)NR--, NRC(S)NR--, --NRC(O)O--, --OC(O)NR--,
--OC(O)--, --C(O)NR--, or --C(O)O--. Y is --C(O)--, --NRC(O)--,
--NRC(S)--, --OC(O). In exemplary embodiments m is 1, 2, 3, 4, 5,
or 6; n is 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 or 6; and g is 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, or 6; p is
0, 1, 2, or 3, and when p is 2 or 3, each R.sup.1 may be the same
or different. R.sup.1 is H, C.sub.1-C.sub.6 alkyl, C.sub.2-C.sub.12
aryl, or C.sub.4-C.sub.16 alkylaryl. R.sup.2 and R.sup.3 are
independently H, CO.sub.2H, or CO.sub.2R.sup.4, where R.sup.4 is a
C.sub.1-C.sub.6 alkyl, C.sub.2-C.sub.12 aryl, or C.sub.4-C.sub.16
alkylaryl, wherein when one of R.sup.2 and R.sup.3 is CO.sub.2H or
CO.sub.2R.sup.4, the other is H. In some embodiments, the
fluorescent dye moiety emits in the near infrared spectrum. Some
embodiments further include a chelated metal.
[0029] Embodiments include compounds having the structure
##STR00013##
wherein subunits associated with p, q, r, and s may be in any
order. Z is tetrazole or CO.sub.2Q; each Q is independently
selected from hydrogen or a protecting group, and a is 1, 2, 3, or
4. R is each independently H or C.sub.1-C.sub.4 alkyl. In this
exemplary embodiment r is 1. Tz is a triazole group having the
structure
##STR00014##
X.sup.1 is --NRC(O)--, --NRC(O)NR--, NRC(S)NR--, or --NRC(O)O--;
X.sup.2 is --C(O)NR--, --NRC(O)NR--, NRC(S)NR--, or OC(O)NR--;
R.sup.5 is H, CO.sub.2H, or CO.sub.2R.sup.6, where R.sup.6 is a
C.sub.1-C.sub.6 alkyl, C.sub.2-C.sub.12 aryl, or C.sub.4-C.sub.16
alkylaryl; b is 1, 2, 3, or 4; and d is 1, 2, 3, or 4. In exemplary
embodiments q is 0 or 1, W is --NRC(O)--, --NRC(O)NR--, NRC(S)NR--,
--NRC(O)O--, --OC(O)NR--, --OC(O)--, C(O)NR--, or --C(O)O--; n is
1, 2, 3, 4, 5 or 6; and R.sup.2 and R.sup.3 are independently H,
CO.sub.2H, or CO.sub.2R.sup.4, where R.sup.4 is a C.sub.1-C.sub.6
alkyl, C.sub.2-C.sub.12 aryl, or C.sub.4-C.sub.16 alkylaryl,
wherein if one of R.sup.2 and R.sup.3 is CO.sub.2H or
CO.sub.2R.sup.4, then the other is H. In exemplary embodiments s is
0 or 1; Y is C(O)--, --NRC(O)--, --NRC(S)--, --OC(O); and m is 1,
2, 3, 4, 5, or 6. In exemplary embodiments p is 0, 1, 2, or 3, and
when p is 2 or 3, each R.sup.1 may be the same or different; and
R.sup.1 is H, C.sub.1-C.sub.6 alkyl, C.sub.2-C.sub.12 aryl, or
C.sub.4-C.sub.16 alkylaryl. G.sup.1 is a moiety selected from the
group consisting of
##STR00015##
where Ch is a metal chelating moiety, optionally including a
chelated metal; FG is a fluorescent dye moiety which emits in the
visible or near infrared spectrum; one of A and A' is Ch and the
other is FG; V and V' are each independently C(O)--, NRC(O)--,
NRC(S)--, or OC(O)--; and g is 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, or 6. In some
embodiments, the fluorescent dye moiety emits in the near infrared
spectrum. Some embodiments include a chelated metal.
[0030] Embodiments of the invention include methods of imaging one
or more cells, organs or tissues by exposing the cell to or
administering to a organism an effective amount of a compound
discussed above, where the compound includes a fluorescent dye
moiety, or a metal isotope suitable for imaging.
[0031] Embodiments of the invention include methods of treating a
tumor comprising administering a therapeutically effective amount
of a compound discussed above, where the compound includes a
therapeutically effective radioisotope.
[0032] Embodiments of the invention include methods for sorting
cells by exposing the cells to a compound discussed above, where
the compound includes a fluorescent dye moiety, followed by
separating cells which bind the compound from cells which do not
bind the compound.
[0033] Embodiments of the invention include methods of
intraoperative tumor mapping comprising administering an effective
amount of a compound discussed above to a subject, where the
compound includes a fluorescent dye moiety.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0034] FIGS. 1A-1B show SPECT-CT images of a PSMA+ LNCaP
tumor-bearing mouse injected intravenously with exemplary compound
[.sup.99mTc]SRV32.
[0035] FIG. 2. GE eXplore VISTA pseudodynamic PET image
(co-registered with the corresponding CT image) of a PSMA+ LNCaP
tumor-bearing mouse injected intravenously with 0.2 mCi (7.4 MBq)
of exemplary compound [.sup.68Ga]SRV27.
[0036] FIGS. 3A-3B. GE eXplore VISTA PET image (co-registered with
the corresponding CT image) of a PSMA+ PIP and PSMA- flu
tumor-bearing mouse injected intravenously with 0.2 mCi (7.4 MBq)
of exemplary compound [.sup.68Ga]SRV100.
[0037] FIG. 4 shows a synthetic scheme for exemplary compound
SRV100 and [.sup.111In]SRV100.
[0038] FIGS. 5A-5C show SPECT-CT images of a PSMA+ PC-3 PIP
tumor-bearing mouse injected intravenously with exemplary compound
[.sup.111In]SRV27.
[0039] FIGS. 6A-6D show SPECT-CT images of a PSMA+ PC-3 PIP
tumor-bearing mouse injected intravenously with exemplary compound
[.sup.111In]SRV100.
[0040] FIG. 7 shows SPECT-CT images of a PSMA+ PC-3 PIP
tumor-bearing mouse injected intravenously with exemplary dual
modality compound [.sup.111In]SRV73.
[0041] FIG. 8 shows the absorbance and emission spectra, and
quantum yield of exemplary compound YC-27.
[0042] FIGS. 9A-9B show the fluorescence decay of exemplary
compound YC-27.
[0043] FIG. 10 shows an IC.sub.50 curve of compound YC-27 using a
fluorescence-based NAALADase assay
[0044] FIGS. 11A-11O show in vivo imaging of a NOD/SCID mouse
(mouse #1), bearing PC3-PIP (forward left flank) and PC3-flu
(forward right flank) tumors. Mouse #1 received 10 nmol of YC-27
and dorsal (animal prone) and ventral (animal supine) views were
obtained. Dorsal and ventral views at 40 min p.i. (A, B,
respectively); 18.5 h (C, D); 23 h (E, F); 42.5 h (G, H); 68 h (I,
J). Dorsal view of pre-injection image (K). Dorsal and ventral
views 70.5 h p.i. (L, M). Images after midline laparotomy (N) and
individually harvested organs (O) on a Petri dish at 70.5 h p.i.
Images were scaled to the same maximum (arbitrary units).
[0045] FIGS. 12A-12T show in vivo imaging of a NOD/SCID mouse
(mouse #2) (left panel), bearing PC3-PIP (forward left flank) and
PC3-flu (forward right flank) tumors. Mouse #2 received 1 nmol of
YC-27 and dorsal (animal prone) and ventral (animal supine) views
were obtained. Dorsal and ventral views of the pre-injection image
(A, B, respectively); 10 min p.i. (C, D); 20.5 h (E, F); 24 h (G,
H). Images after midline laparotomy (I) and individually harvested
organs (J) on a Petri dish at 24 h p.i. Right Panels: Mouse #3 in
same orientation as mouse #2. Mouse #3 received 1 nmol of YC-27
co-injected with 1 .mu.mol of DCIBzL, which served as a blocking
agent to test binding specificity. Images were scaled to the same
maximum (arbitrary units).
[0046] FIGS. 13A-13C show SPECT-CT images of a PSMA+ LNCaP
tumor-bearing mouse injected intravenously with exemplary compound
[.sup.99mTc]SRVI34B.
[0047] FIGS. 14A-14B show SPECT-CT images of a PSMA+ PC3-PIP
tumor-bearing mouse injected intravenously with exemplary compound
[.sup.99mTc]SRVI34B.
[0048] FIGS. 15A-15C show SPECT-CT images of a PSMA+ PC3-PIP
(forward left flank) and PSMA- PC3-flu (forward right flank)
tumor-bearing mouse injected intravenously with exemplary compound
[.sup.99mTc]SRVI34A.
[0049] FIGS. 16A-16C show SPECT-CT images of a PSMA+ PC3-PIP
(forward left flank) and PSMA- PC3-flu (forward right flank)
tumor-bearing mouse injected intravenously with exemplary compound
[.sup.99mTc]SRVI34B.
[0050] FIGS. 17A-17D show PC3-PIP and PC3-flu cells treated with
fluorescent compound YC-VIII-36 (green, top left) and DAPI (blue),
and PC3-PIP and PC3-flu cells treated with both YC-VIII-36 and PSMA
inhibitor, PMPA.
[0051] FIGS. 18A-18H show PC3-PIP cells treated with DAPI (blue)
and varying concentrations of YC-VIII-36 (green).
[0052] FIGS. 19A-19D show time dependent internalization of
YC-VIII-36 into PC3-PIP cells treated with YC-VIII-36 (green) and
DAPI (blue).
[0053] FIGS. 20A-20F show titration and detection of varying
amounts of YC-VIII-36 injected subcutaneously into a nude mouse.
(IVIS spectrum with 10 second exposure followed by spectral
unmixing)
[0054] FIGS. 21A-21H show fluorescence images of a PSMA+ PC3-PIP
and PSMA- PC3-flu tumor-bearing mouse injected intravenously with
exemplary compound YC-VIII-36.
[0055] FIGS. 22A-22E show fluorescence images of a PSMA+ PC3-PIP
and PSMA- PC3-flu tumor-bearing mouse injected intravenously with
exemplary compound YC-VIII-36 180 minutes after injection (top) and
biodistribution of exemplary compound YC-VIII-36 180 minutes after
injection (bottom).
[0056] FIGS. 23A-23C show FACS analysis showing the percent
subpopulation of PSMA positive cells in PC3-flu, PC3-PIP, and LNCaP
cells.
[0057] FIGS. 24A-24E show cell sorting results for PC3-PIP cells
treated with exemplary compound YC-VIII-36, including initial
percentage (top center), and after 3 passages of sorting
(bottom).
[0058] FIGS. 25A-25F show the number of spiked PIP-pos cells into
10 million of PC3-flu detectable by 100 nM compound YC-VIII-36 in
flow cytometry (BD LSR-II). Gate P1 is total number of single cells
counted; gate P2 at higher intensity is the number of Pip-pos cells
detected and gate P3 at lower intensity.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS
[0059] Some embodiments of the current invention are discussed in
detail below. In describing embodiments, specific terminology is
employed for the sake of clarity. However, the invention is not
intended to be limited to the specific terminology so selected. A
person skilled in the relevant art will recognize that other
equivalent components can be employed and other methods developed
without departing from the broad concepts of the current invention.
All references cited anywhere in this specification are
incorporated by reference as if each had been individually
incorporated.
[0060] Where a range of values is provided in the present
application, it is understood that each intervening value, to the
tenth of the unit of the lower limit unless the context clearly
dictates otherwise, between the upper and lower limit of that range
and any other stated or intervening value in that stated range, is
encompassed within the invention. The end values of any range are
included in the range.
DEFINITIONS
[0061] The following terms below generally have the meaning that
would be readily understood by persons skilled in the art. The
definitions are provided herein for clarity. Where a definition
excludes an art-recognized meaning, the term should be taken to
have the meaning set forth below. Where the art-recognized meaning
and the meaning below differ but are not exclusive, the intended
meaning is clear by the context in which it is used.
[0062] As used herein, "agent" is a non-peptide, small molecule
compound.
[0063] By "cell substrate" is meant the cellular or acellular
material (e.g., extracellular matrix, polypeptides, peptides, or
other molecular components) that is in contact with the cell.
[0064] By "control" is meant a standard or reference condition.
[0065] By "disease" is meant any condition or disorder that damages
or interferes with the normal function of a cell, tissue, organ or
subject.
[0066] By "effective amount" is meant a quantity sufficient to
produce a measurable difference, when compared with a control. For
example, an amount sufficient to produce a measurable image, when
the compound is used for imaging, or an amount sufficient to
ameliorate the symptoms of a disease, when the compound is used for
therapy. The effective amount of an active therapeutic agent for
the treatment of a disease or injury varies depending upon the
manner of administration, the age, body weight, and general health
of the subject. Ultimately, the attending clinician will decide the
appropriate amount and dosage regimen.
[0067] By "modifies" is meant alters. An agent that modifies a
cell, substrate, or cellular environment produces a biochemical
alteration in a component (e.g., polypeptide, nucleotide, or
molecular component) of the cell, substrate, or cellular
environment.
[0068] As used herein, the terms "prevent," "preventing,"
"prevention," "prophylactic treatment" and the like refer to
reducing the probability of developing a disorder or condition in a
subject, who does not have, but is at risk of or susceptible to
developing a disorder or condition.
[0069] By "subject" is meant a mammal, including, but not limited
to, a human or non-human mammal, such as a bovine, equine, canine,
ovine, or feline.
[0070] By "therapeutic delivery device" is meant any device that
provides for the release of a therapeutic agent. Exemplary
therapeutic delivery devices include tablets and pills, described
below, as well as syringes, osmotic pumps, indwelling catheters,
delayed-release and sustained-release biomaterials.
[0071] As used herein, the terms "treat," treating," "treatment,"
"therapeutic" and the like refer to reducing or ameliorating a
disorder and/or symptoms associated therewith. It will be
appreciated that, although not precluded, treating a disorder or
condition does not require that the disorder, condition or symptoms
associated therewith be completely eliminated.
[0072] The compounds herein described may have one or more
asymmetric centers or planes. Compounds of the present invention
containing an asymmetrically substituted atom may be isolated in
optically active or racemic forms. It is well known in the art how
to prepare optically active forms, such as by resolution of racemic
forms (racemates), by asymmetric synthesis, or by synthesis from
optically active starting materials. Resolution of the racemates
can be accomplished, for example, by conventional methods such as
crystallization in the presence of a resolving agent, or
chromatography, using, for example a chiral HPLC column. Many
geometric isomers of olefins, C.dbd.N double bonds, and the like
can also be present in the compounds described herein, and all such
stable isomers are contemplated in the present invention. Cis and
trans geometric isomers of the compounds of the present invention
are described and may be isolated as a mixture of isomers or as
separated isomeric forms. All chiral (enantiomeric and
diastereomeric), and racemic forms, as well as all geometric
isomeric forms of a structure are intended, unless the specific
stereochemistry or isomeric form is specifically indicated.
[0073] The compounds herein described may have one or more charged
atoms. For example, the compounds may be zwitterionic, but may be
neutral overall. Other embodiments may have one or more charged
groups, depending on the pH and other factors. In these
embodiments, the compound may be associated with a suitable
counter-ion. It is well known in the art how to prepare salts or
exchange counter-ions. Generally, such salts can be prepared by
reacting free acid forms of these compounds with a stoichiometric
amount of the appropriate base (such as Na, Ca, Mg, or K hydroxide,
carbonate, bicarbonate, or the like), or by reacting free base
forms of these compounds with a stoichiometric amount of the
appropriate acid. Such reactions are typically carried out in water
or in an organic solvent, or in a mixture of the two. Counter-ions
may be changed, for example, by ion-exchange techniques such as
ion-exchange chromatography. All zwitterions, salts and
counter-ions are intended, unless the counter-ion or salt is
specifically indicated. In certain embodiments, the salt or
counter-ion may be pharmaceutically acceptable, for administration
to a subject. Pharmaceutically acceptable salts are discussed
later.
[0074] As used herein, a "protecting group" is a chemical
substituent which can be selectively removed by readily available
reagents which do not attack the regenerated functional group or
other functional groups in the molecule. Suitable protecting groups
are known in the art and continue to be developed. Suitable
protecting groups may be found, for example in Wutz et al.
("Greene's Protective Groups in Organic Synthesis, Fourth Edition,"
Wiley-Interscience, 2007). Protecting groups for protection of the
carboxyl group, as described by Wutz et al. (pages 533-643), are
used in certain embodiments. In some embodiments, the protecting
group is removable by treatment with acid. Specific examples of
protecting groups include but are not limited to, benzyl,
p-methoxybenzyl (PMB), tertiary butyl (.sup.tBu), methoxymethyl
(MOM), methoxyethoxymethyl (MEM), methylthiomethyl (MTM),
tetrahydropyranyl (THP), tetrahydrofuranyl (THF), benzyloxymethyl
(BOM), trimethylsilyl (TMS), triethylsilyl (TES),
t-butyldimethylsilyl (TBDMS), and triphenylmethyl (trityl, Tr).
Persons skilled in the art will recognize appropriate situations in
which protecting groups are required and will be able to select an
appropriate protecting group for use in a particular
circumstance.
[0075] As used herein, "alkyl" is intended to include branched,
straight-chain, and cyclic saturated aliphatic hydrocarbon groups.
Examples of alkyl include, but are not limited to, methyl, ethyl,
n-propyl, iso-propyl, n-butyl, sec-butyl, tert-butyl, n-pentyl, and
sec-pentyl. In certain embodiments, alkyl groups are
C.sub.1-C.sub.6 alkyl groups or C.sub.1-C.sub.4 alkyl groups.
Particular alkyl groups are methyl, ethyl, propyl, butyl, and
3-pentyl. The term "C.sub.1-C.sub.6 alkyl" as used herein means
straight-chain, branched, or cyclic C.sub.1-C.sub.6 hydrocarbons
which are completely saturated and hybrids thereof such as
(cycloalkyl)alkyl. Examples of C.sub.1-C.sub.6 alkyl substituents
include methyl (Me), ethyl (Et), propyl (including n-propyl (n-Pr,
.sup.nPr), iso-propyl (i-Pr, .sup.iPr), and cyclopropyl (c-Pr,
.sup.cPr)), butyl (including n-butyl (n-Bu, .sup.nBu), iso-butyl
(i-Bu, .sup.iBu), sec-butyl (s-Bu, .sup.sBu), tert-butyl (t-Bu,
.sup.tBu), or cyclobutyl (c-Bu, .sup.nBu)), and so forth.
"Cycloalkyl" is intended to include saturated ring groups, such as
cyclopropyl, cyclobutyl, cyclopentyl, or cyclohexyl. Cycloalkyl
groups typically will have 3 to about 8 ring members. In the term
"(cycloalkyl)alkyl", cycloalkyl, and alkyl are as defined above,
and the point of attachment is on the alkyl group. This term
encompasses, but is not limited to, cyclopropylmethyl,
cyclopentylmethyl, and cyclohexylmethyl. The alkyl group may be
substituted or unsubstituted. Substituents are not counted towards
the total number of atoms in the alkyl group, so long as the total
atoms in the substituent(s) are not larger than the alkyl
group.
[0076] As used herein, the term "aryl" includes aromatic groups
that contain 1 to 3 separate or fused rings and from 2 to about 12
carbon atoms, and up to 3 heteroatoms as ring members. Examples of
heteroatoms include nitrogen, oxygen or sulfur atoms. The aryl
group may have 0, 1, 2 or 3 heteroatoms as ring members. Examples
of aryl groups include but are not limited to phenyl, biphenyl and
naphthyl, including 1-napthyl and 2-naphthyl. Examples of aryl
groups having heteroatoms include quinolinyl, isoquinolinyl,
quinazolinyl, pyridyl, pyrazinyl, pyrimidyl, furanyl, pyrrolyl,
thienyl, oxadiazolyl, thiadiazolyl, thiazolyl, triazinyl, oxazolyl,
isoxazolyl, imidazolyl, indolyl, benzofuranyl, and benzothiazolyl,
among others. The aryl group may be substituted or unsubstituted.
Substituents are not counted towards the total number of atoms in
the aryl group, so long as the total atoms in the substituent(s)
are not larger than the aryl group.
[0077] As used herein, the term "alkylaryl" includes alkyl groups,
as defined above, substituted by aryl groups, as defined above. The
aryl group may be connected at any point on the alkyl group. The
term C.sub.4-C.sub.16 alkylaryl includes alkylaryl groups having a
total of 4 to 16 carbon atoms, counting the carbon atoms on the
alkyl group and aryl group together. Examples of alkylaryl groups
include but are not limited to benzyl (phenylmethyl), phenylethyl,
and naphthylmethyl. The alkylaryl group may be substituted or
unsubstituted. Substituents are not counted towards the total
number of atoms in the alkylaryl group, so long as the total atoms
in the substituent(s) are not larger than the alkylaryl group.
[0078] The term "substituted," as used herein, means that any one
or more hydrogens on the designated atom or group is replaced with
a substituent, provided that the designated atom's normal valence
is not exceeded, and that the substitution results in a stable
compound. When a substituent is oxo (keto, i.e., .dbd.O), then 2
hydrogens on an atom are replaced. The present invention is
intended to include all isotopes (including radioisotopes) of atoms
occurring in the present compounds. When the compounds are
substituted, they may be so substituted at one or more available
positions, typically 1, 2, 3 or 4 positions, by one or more
suitable groups such as those disclosed herein. Suitable groups
that may be present on a "substituted" group include e.g., halogen;
cyano; hydroxyl; nitro; azido; amino; alkanoyl (such as a
C.sub.1-C.sub.6 alkanoyl group such as acyl or the like);
carboxamido; alkyl groups (including cycloalkyl groups, having 1 to
about 8 carbon atoms, for example 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, or 6 carbon
atoms); alkenyl and alkynyl groups (including groups having one or
more unsaturated linkages and from 2 to about 8, such as 2, 3, 4, 5
or 6, carbon atoms); alkoxy groups having one or more oxygen
linkages and from 1 to about 8, for example 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 or 6
carbon atoms; aryloxy such as phenoxy; alkylthio groups including
those having one or more thioether linkages and from 1 to about 8
carbon atoms, for example 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 or 6 carbon atoms;
alkylsulfinyl groups including those having one or more sulfinyl
linkages and from 1 to about 8 carbon atoms, such as 1, 2, 3, 4, 5,
or 6 carbon atoms; alkylsulfonyl groups including those having one
or more sulfonyl linkages and from 1 to about 8 carbon atoms, such
as 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, or 6 carbon atoms; aminoalkyl groups including
groups having one or more N atoms and from 1 to about 8, for
example 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 or 6, carbon atoms; carbocyclic aryl having
4, 5, 6 or more carbons and one or more rings, (e.g., phenyl,
biphenyl, naphthyl, or the like, each ring either substituted or
unsubstituted aromatic); arylalkyl having 1 to 3 separate or fused
rings and from 6 to about 18 ring carbon atoms, (e.g. benzyl);
arylalkoxy having 1 to 3 separate or fused rings and from 6 to
about 18 ring carbon atoms (e.g. O-benzyl); or a saturated,
unsaturated, or aromatic heterocyclic group having 1 to 3 separate
or fused rings with 3 to about 8 members per ring and one or more
N, O or S atoms, (e.g. coumarinyl, quinolinyl, isoquinolinyl,
quinazolinyl, pyridyl, pyrazinyl, pyrimidyl, furanyl, pyrrolyl,
thienyl, thiazolyl, triazinyl, oxazolyl, isoxazolyl, imidazolyl,
indolyl, benzofuranyl, benzothiazolyl, tetrahydrofuranyl,
tetrahydropyranyl, piperidinyl, morpholinyl, piperazinyl, and
pyrrolidinyl). Such heterocyclic groups may be further substituted,
e.g. with hydroxy, alkyl, alkoxy, halogen and amino
[0079] As used herein, where an internal substituent is flanked by
bonds (for example --NRC(O)--) the order of the atoms is fixed, the
orientation of the group may not be reversed, and is inserted into
a structure in the orientation presented. In other words NRC(O)--
is not the same as C(O)NR--. As used herein the term C(O) (for
example --NRC(O)--) is used to indicate a carbonyl (C.dbd.O) group,
where the oxygen is bonded to the carbon by a double bond.
[0080] A substituent bearing a broken bond, such as the example
shown below, means that the substituent is directly bonded to the
molecule at the indicated position. No additional methylene
(CH.sub.2) groups are implied.
##STR00016##
[0081] Substituents bearing two broken bonds, such as the example
shown below, means that the orientation of the atoms is
as-indicated, left to right and should be inserted into a molecule
in the orientation shown. No additional methylene (CH.sub.2) groups
are implied unless specifically indicated.
##STR00017##
EMBODIMENTS
[0082] As described herein, all embodiments or subcombinations may
be used in combination with all other embodiments or
subcombinations, unless mutually exclusive.
[0083] In some of the following embodiments, Z is CO.sub.2Q. In
some of the following embodiments, Q is H. In some of the following
embodiments, m is 4, 5, or 6. In some of the following embodiments,
m is 6. In some of the following embodiments, n is 2, 3, or 4. In
some of the following embodiments, n is 3. In some of the following
embodiments, a is 3 or 4. In some of the following embodiments, a
is 4. In some of the following embodiments, Y is --C(O)--. In some
of the following embodiments, W is NHC(O)--.
[0084] Embodiments of the invention include compounds having the
structure
##STR00018##
wherein the subunits associated with elements p, q, r, and s may be
in any order. Z is tetrazole or CO.sub.2Q; each Q is independently
selected from hydrogen or a protecting group, a is 1, 2, 3, or 4,
and R is each independently H or C.sub.1-C.sub.4 alkyl.
[0085] Variable r is 0 or 1. Tz is a triazole group selected from
the group consisting of
##STR00019##
X.sup.1 is --NRC(O)--, --NRC(O)NR--, --NRC(S)NR--, or --NRC(O)O--;
X.sup.2 is --C(O)NR--, --NRC(O)NR--, --NRC(S)NR--, or OC(O)NR--;
R.sup.5 is H, CO.sub.2H, or CO.sub.2R.sup.6, where R.sup.6 is a
C.sub.1-C.sub.6 alkyl, C.sub.2-C.sub.12 aryl, or C.sub.4-C.sub.16
alkylaryl; b is 1, 2, 3, or 4; and d is 1, 2, 3, or 4.
[0086] Variable q is 0 or 1. W is --NRC(O)--, --NRC(O)NR--,
NRC(S)NR--, --NRC(O)O--, --OC(O)NR--, --OC(O)--, C(O)NR--, or
--C(O)O--; R.sup.2 and R.sup.3 are independently H, CO.sub.2H, or
CO.sub.2R.sup.4, where R.sup.4 is a C.sub.1-C.sub.6 alkyl,
C.sub.2-C.sub.12 aryl, or C.sub.4-C.sub.16 alkylaryl, wherein if
one of R.sup.2 and R.sup.3 is CO.sub.2H or CO.sub.2R.sup.4, then
the other is H; n is 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 or 6.
[0087] Variable s is 0 or 1. Y is C(O)--, --NRC(O)--, --NRC(S)--,
--OC(O)--; and m is 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, or 6.
[0088] Variable p is 0, 1, 2, or 3, and when p is 2 or 3, each
R.sup.1 may be the same or different. R.sup.1 is H, C.sub.1-C.sub.6
alkyl, C.sub.2-C.sub.12 aryl, or C.sub.4-C.sub.16 alkylaryl.
[0089] G is a moiety selected from the group consisting of
##STR00020##
where Ch is a metal chelating moiety, optionally including a
chelated metal; FG is a fluorescent dye moiety which emits in the
visible or near infrared spectrum; one of A and A' is Ch and the
other is FG; V and V' are independently C(O)--, NRC(O)--, NRC(S)--,
or OC(O)--; and g is 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, or 6. The following conditions
also apply: [0090] 1) when G is
##STR00021##
[0090] and r is 0, then q and s are both 1; [0091] 2) when G is
##STR00022##
[0091] and r is 0, then q and s are both 0 or both 1; [0092] 3)
when G is
##STR00023##
[0092] then p is 0 and R.sup.2 is H, and the structure optionally
includes a chelated metal ion; [0093] 4) when G is
##STR00024##
[0093] and r is 0, then if p is 0, then one of R.sup.2 and R.sup.3
is CO.sub.2R.sup.4, and the other is H; and [0094] 5) when g is
##STR00025##
[0094] then r is 0.
[0095] In some embodiments, Z is CO.sub.2Q. In some embodiments, Q
is H. In some embodiments, m is 4, 5, or 6. In some embodiments, m
is 6. In some embodiments, n is 2, 3, or 4. In some embodiments, n
is 3. In some embodiments, a is 4. In some embodiments, subunits
associated with elements p, q and s are in the order drawn and r
may be in any location, including between one of p, q, or s. In
some embodiments r is 0.
[0096] Embodiments include compounds having the structure
##STR00026##
wherein Z is tetrazole or CO.sub.2Q; each Q is independently
selected from hydrogen or a protecting group, a is 1, 2, 3, or 4,
and R is each independently H or C.sub.1-C.sub.4 alkyl. Ch is a
metal chelating moiety optionally including a chelated metal. W is
--NRC(O)--, --NRC(O)NR--, NRC(S)NR--, --NRC(O)O--, --OC(O)NR--,
--OC(O)--, C(O)NR--, or --C(O)O--. Y is C(O)--, --NRC(O)--,
--NRC(S)--, --OC(O). V is C(O)--, NRC(O)--, NRC(S)--, or OC(O)--.
In exemplary embodiment m is 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, or 6; n is 1, 2, 3, 4,
5 or 6; and p is 0, 1, 2, or 3, and when p is 2 or 3, each R.sup.1
may be the same or different. R.sup.1 is H, C.sub.1-C.sub.6 alkyl,
C.sub.2-C.sub.12 aryl, or C.sub.4-C.sub.16 alkylaryl. R.sup.2 and
R.sup.3 are independently H, CO.sub.2H, or CO.sub.2R.sup.4, where
R.sup.4 is a C.sub.1-C.sub.6 alkyl, C.sub.2-C.sub.12 aryl, or
C.sub.4-C.sub.16 alkylaryl, wherein when one of R.sup.2 and R.sup.3
is CO.sub.2H or CO.sub.2R.sup.4, the other is H, and when p is 0,
one of R.sup.2 and R.sup.3 is CO.sub.2R.sup.4, and the other is
H.
[0097] In some embodiments, the compound has the structure shown
below.
##STR00027##
[0098] In some embodiments, the compound has the structure shown
below.
##STR00028##
[0099] In some embodiments, p is 1, 2 or 3. When p is 2 or 3, each
R.sup.1 may be the same or different. When two R.sup.1 groups are
different, the two may be in any order. In some embodiments, p is
2. In some embodiments, p is 2, and both R.sup.1 are the same. In
some embodiments, R.sup.1 is C.sub.2-C.sub.12 aryl. In some
embodiments R.sup.1 is phenyl. In some embodiments, R.sup.3 is
CO.sub.2H and R.sup.2 is H. In some embodiments, R.sup.2 is
CO.sub.2H and R.sup.3 is H. In some embodiments, R.sup.2 and
R.sup.3 are both H.
[0100] In some embodiments, p is 0. In some embodiments where p is
0, R.sup.2 is CO.sub.2R.sup.4, and R.sup.3 is H. In some
embodiments where p is 0, R.sup.3 is CO.sub.2R.sup.4, and R.sup.2
is H. In some embodiments R.sup.4 is C.sub.2-C.sub.12 aryl, or
C.sub.4-C.sub.16 alkylaryl. In some embodiments R.sup.4 is
benzyl.
[0101] Ch is a metal chelating moiety optionally including a
chelated metal. A metal chelating moiety is a chemical moiety that
non-covalently binds a metal atom, usually with a plurality of
non-covalent interactions. Ch includes any additional atoms or
linkers necessary to attach the metal chelating moiety to the rest
of the compound. For instance linking groups having alkyl, aryl,
combination of alkyl and aryl, or alkyl and aryl groups having
heteroatoms may be present in the chelating moiety. Numerous metal
chelating moieties are known in the art. Any acceptable chelator
can be used with the present invention as long as compatible and
capable of chelating a desired metal. Examples of metal chelating
moieties (Ch) include, but are not limited to
1,4,7,10-tetraazacyclododecane-1,4,7,10-tetraacetic acid (DOTA) and
Diethylene-triaminepentaacetic acid (DTPA). In some embodiments, Ch
has a structure shown below.
##STR00029## ##STR00030## ##STR00031## ##STR00032##
[0102] Examples of specific compounds include the compounds shown
below.
##STR00033## ##STR00034## ##STR00035## ##STR00036##
[0103] In some embodiments, the compound further includes a
chelated metal. In some embodiments, the chelated metal is Tc, In,
Ga, Y, Lu, Re, Cu, Ac, Bi, Pb, Sm, Sc, Co, Ho, Gd, Eu, Tb, or Dy.
In some embodiments, the chelated metal is Tc, Ga, In, Cu, Y, Ac,
Lu, Re, or Bi. In some embodiments the metal is an isotope, for
example a radioactive isotope. In some embodiments, the isotope is
Tc-99m, In-111, Ga-67, Ga-68, Y-86, Y-90, Lu-177, Re-186, Re-188,
Cu-64, Cu-67, Co-55, Co-57, Sc-47, Ac-225, Bi-213, Bi-212, Pb-212,
Sm-153, Ho-166, or Dy-166. In some embodiments, the isotope is
Tc-99m, In-111, Ga-67, Ga-68, Y-90, Lu-177, Re-186, Re-188, Cu-67,
Ac-225, Bi-213, or Bi-212.
[0104] Embodiments include compounds having the structure
##STR00037##
[0105] optionally including a chelated metal ion. Z is tetrazole or
CO.sub.2Q; each Q is independently selected from hydrogen or a
protecting group, and a is 1, 2, 3, or 4. R is each independently H
or C.sub.1-C.sub.4 alkyl. W is --NRC(O)--, --NRC(O)NR--,
NRC(S)NR--, --NRC(O)O--, --OC(O)NR--, --OC(O)--, --C(O)NR--, or
--C(O)O--. Y is --C(O)--, --NRC(O)--, --NRC(S)--, --OC(O)--. In
some embodiments, subunits associated with q and s may be in the
order shown or the reverse thereof
[0106] In exemplary embodiment m is 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, or 6; n is 1, 2,
3, 4, 5 or 6; q is 0 or 1; and s is 0 or 1. R.sup.3 is H,
CO.sub.2H, or CO.sub.2R.sup.4, where R.sup.4 is a C.sub.1-C.sub.6
alkyl, C.sub.2-C.sub.12 aryl, or C.sub.4-C.sub.16 alkylaryl. Some
embodiments further include a chelated metal ion. In some
embodiments, the metal ion is Tc, Re, Ga, or Cu. In some
embodiments, the metal ion is Tc-99m, Re-186, Re-188, Cu-64, or
Ga-68. In some embodiments, the metal ion is Tc-99m, Re-186 or
Re-188.
[0107] In some embodiments, the compound has the structure
##STR00038##
[0108] optionally including a chelated metal ion. Z is tetrazole or
CO.sub.2Q; each Q is independently selected from hydrogen or a
protecting group and a is 1, 2, 3, or 4. R is each independently H
or C.sub.1-C.sub.4 alkyl. W is --NRC(O)--, --NRC(O)NR--,
NRC(S)NR--, --NRC(O)O--, --OC(O)NR--, --OC(O)--, --C(O)NR--, or
--C(O)O--. Y is --C(O)--, --NRC(O)--, --NRC(S)--, --OC(O)--. In
exemplary embodiments m is 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, or 6; and n is 1, 2, 3,
4, 5 or 6. R.sup.3 is H, CO.sub.2H, or CO.sub.2R.sup.4, where
R.sup.4 is a C.sub.1-C.sub.6 alkyl, C.sub.2-C.sub.12 aryl, or
C.sub.4-C.sub.16 alkylaryl.
[0109] In some embodiments, the compound has the structure
##STR00039##
where a is 1, 2, 3, or 4. Y is --C(O)--, --NRC(O)--, --NRC(S)--,
--OC(O)--, and In exemplary embodiment m is 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, or
6.
[0110] In some embodiments, the compound has the structure
##STR00040##
where a is 1, 2, 3, or 4. W is --NRC(O)--, --NRC(O)NR--,
NRC(S)NR--, --NRC(O)O--, --OC(O)NR--, --OC(O)--, --C(O)NR--, or
--C(O)O--, and n is 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 or 6. R.sup.3 is H, CO.sub.2H, or
CO.sub.2R.sup.4, where R.sup.4 is a C.sub.1-C.sub.6 alkyl,
C.sub.2-C.sub.12 aryl, or C.sub.4-C.sub.16 alkylaryl.
[0111] In some embodiments, the compound has the structure
##STR00041##
where a is 1, 2, 3, or 4.
[0112] In some embodiments, Y is C(O)--.
[0113] In some embodiments, W is NHC(O)--.
[0114] In some embodiments, m is 4, 5, or 6. In some embodiments, m
is 6.
[0115] In some embodiments, n is 2, 3, or 4. In some embodiments, n
is 3.
[0116] In some embodiments, R.sup.3 is CO.sub.2H. In some
embodiments, R.sup.3 is H. In some embodiments, R.sup.3 is
CO.sub.2R.sup.4.
[0117] Examples of compounds include those having the structure
shown below
##STR00042##
[0118] In some embodiments, the compound further includes a
chelated metal ion. In some embodiments, the metal ion is Tc, Re,
Cu, or Ga. In some embodiments, the metal ion is Tc-99m, Re-186,
Re-188, Cu-64, or Ga-68. In some embodiments, the metal ion is
Tc-99m.
[0119] The metal ion chelates to the triazole amino acid portion of
the molecule to form a structure shown below using Tc as an
example.
##STR00043##
[0120] Embodiments include compounds having the structure
##STR00044##
where p, q, and s are in the order drawn, and q and s are either
both 0 or both 1. Z is tetrazole or CO.sub.2Q; each Q is
independently selected from hydrogen or a protecting group, and a
is 1, 2, 3, or 4. FG is a fluorescent dye moiety which emits in the
visible or near infrared spectrum. R is each independently H or
C.sub.1-C.sub.4 alkyl. V is C(O)-- or NRC(O)-- or NRC(S)--. W is
--NRC(O)--, --NRC(O)NR--, NRC(S)NR--, --NRC(O)O--, --OC(O)NR--,
--OC(O)--, C(O)NR--, or --C(O)O--. Y is --C(O)--, --NRC(O)--,
--NRC(S)--, --OC(O). In exemplary embodiments m is 1, 2, 3, 4, 5,
or 6; n is 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 or 6; p is 0, 1, 2, or 3, and when p is 2
or 3, each R.sup.1 may be the same or different. R.sup.1 is H,
C.sub.1-C.sub.6 alkyl, C.sub.2-C.sub.12 aryl, or C.sub.4-C.sub.16
alkylaryl. R.sup.2 and R.sup.3 are independently H, CO.sub.2H, or
CO.sub.2R.sup.4, where R.sup.4 is a C.sub.1-C.sub.6 alkyl,
C.sub.2-C.sub.12 aryl, or C.sub.4-C.sub.16 alkylaryl, wherein when
one of R.sup.2 and R.sup.3 is CO.sub.2H or CO.sub.2R.sup.4, the
other is H. In some embodiments, the fluorescent dye moiety emits
in the near infrared spectrum.
[0121] Some embodiments have the structure shown below.
##STR00045##
wherein Z is tetrazole or CO.sub.2Q; each Q is independently
selected from hydrogen or a protecting group, and a is 1, 2, 3, or
4. FG is a fluorescent dye moiety which emits in the visible or
near infrared spectrum. R is each independently H or
C.sub.1-C.sub.4 alkyl. V is C(O)-- or --NRC(O)-- or --NRC(S)--. W
is --NRC(O)--, --NRC(O)NR--, NRC(S)NR--, --NRC(O)O--, --OC(O)NR--,
--OC(O)--, --C(O)NR--, or --C(O)O--. Y is C(O)--, --NRC(O)--,
--NRC(S)--, --OC(O)--. In exemplary embodiments m is 1, 2, 3, 4, 5,
or 6; n is 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 or 6; p is 0, 1, 2, or 3, and when p is 2
or 3, each R.sup.1 may be the same or different. R.sup.1 is H,
C.sub.1-C.sub.6 alkyl, C.sub.2-C.sub.12 aryl, or C.sub.4-C.sub.16
alkylaryl. R.sup.2 and R.sup.3 are independently H, CO.sub.2H, or
CO.sub.2R.sup.4, where R.sup.4 is a C.sub.1-C.sub.6 alkyl,
C.sub.2-C.sub.12 aryl, or C.sub.4-C.sub.16 alkylaryl, wherein when
one of R.sup.2 and R.sup.3 is CO.sub.2H or CO.sub.2R.sup.4, the
other is H. In some embodiments, the fluorescent dye moiety emits
in the near infrared spectrum.
[0122] In some embodiments, the compound has the structure shown
below.
##STR00046##
[0123] In some embodiments, the compound has the structure shown
below.
##STR00047##
[0124] In some embodiments, the compound has the structure shown
below.
##STR00048##
[0125] In some embodiments, the compound has the structure shown
below.
##STR00049##
[0126] In some embodiments, p is 1, 2 or 3. In some embodiments, p
is 2. In some embodiments R.sup.1 is C.sub.2-C.sub.12 aryl. In some
embodiments, R.sup.1 is phenyl.
[0127] In some embodiments, p is 0.
[0128] In some embodiments, R.sup.3 is CO.sub.2H and R.sup.2 is H.
In some embodiments, R.sup.2 is CO.sub.2H and R.sup.3 is H. In some
embodiments, R.sup.2 is CO.sub.2R.sup.4, and R.sup.3 is H. In some
embodiments, R.sup.3 is CO.sub.2R.sup.4, and R.sup.2 is H. In some
embodiments R.sup.4 is C.sub.2-C.sub.12 aryl, or C.sub.4-C.sub.16
alkylaryl. In some R.sup.4 is benzyl. In some embodiments, R.sup.2
is H, and R.sup.3 is H.
[0129] In some embodiments V is C(O)-- or NRC(S)--.
[0130] FG is a fluorescent dye moiety that emits light in the
visible or near infrared spectrum. In some embodiments, FG is a
fluorescent dye moiety which emits in the near infrared spectrum.
FG includes any additional atoms or linkers necessary to attach the
fluorescent dye moiety to the rest of the compound. For instance
linking groups having alkyl, aryl, combination of alkyl and aryl,
or alkyl and aryl groups having heteroatoms may be present in the
chelating moiety, so long as the linker does not interfere with the
fluorescence of the dye. In some embodiments, the fluorescent dye
moiety includes a poly(ethyleneglycol) linker. Numerous fluorescent
dye moieties are known in the art, and will be readily apparent to
one of ordinary skill. Many fluorescent dyes are commercially
available with activated groups used to react with protein
sidechains or other compounds.
[0131] Examples of fluorescent compounds which may form all or part
of the structure of FG include carbocyanine, indocarbocyanine,
oxacarbocyanine, thiacarbocyanine, merocyanine, polymethine,
coumarine, rhodamine, xanthene, fluorescein, and
boron-dipyrromethane (BODIPY) compounds, to name a few.
[0132] Examples of fluorescent dye moieties include those described
in WO 20089/109832, incorporated by reference herein in its
entirety.
[0133] Specific dyes which emit in the near infrared spectrum
include commercially available compounds Cy5, Cy5.5, and Cy7,
available from GE Healthcare; VivoTag-680, VivoTag-5680, and
VivoTag-5750, available from VisEn Medical; AlexaFluor660,
AlexaFluor680, AlexaFluor700, AlexaFluor750, and AlexaFluor790,
available from Invitrogen; Dy677, Dy676, Dy682, Dy752, and Dy780,
available from Dyonics; DyLight547, and Dylight647, available from
Pierce; HiLyte Fluor 647, HiLyte Fluor 680, and HiLyte Fluor 750,
available from AnaSpec; IRDye 800CW, IRDye 800RS, and IRDye 700DX,
available from Li-Cor; and ADS780WS, ADS830WS, and ADS832WS,
available from American Dye Source.
[0134] In some embodiments, FG is a structure shown below.
##STR00050## ##STR00051##
[0135] Exemplary compounds include those shown below.
##STR00052## ##STR00053## ##STR00054## ##STR00055##
[0136] Embodiments include compounds having the structure
##STR00056##
wherein Z is tetrazole or CO.sub.2Q; each Q is independently
selected from hydrogen or a protecting group, a is 1, 2, 3, or 4.
One of A and A' is Ch and the other is FG, where FG is a
fluorescent dye moiety which emits in the visible or near infrared
spectrum and Ch is metal chelating moiety optionally including a
chelated metal. R is each independently H or C.sub.1-C.sub.4 alkyl.
V or V' are independently C(O)--, NRC(O)--, or NRC(S)--. W is
--NRC(O)--, --NRC(O)NR--, NRC(S)NR--, --NRC(O)O--, --OC(O)NR--,
--OC(O)--, C(O)NR--, or --C(O)O--. Y is C(O)--, --NRC(O)--,
--NRC(S)--, --OC(O)--. In exemplary embodiments m is 1, 2, 3, 4, 5,
or 6; n is 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 or 6; and g is 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, or 6; p is
0, 1, 2, or 3, and when p is 2 or 3, each R.sup.1 may be the same
or different. R.sup.1 is H, C.sub.1-C.sub.6 alkyl, C.sub.2-C.sub.12
aryl, or C.sub.4-C.sub.16 alkylaryl. R.sup.2 and R.sup.3 are
independently H, CO.sub.2H, or CO.sub.2R.sup.4, where R.sup.4 is a
C.sub.1-C.sub.6 alkyl, C.sub.2-C.sub.12 aryl, or C.sub.4-C.sub.16
alkylaryl, wherein when one of R.sup.2 and R.sup.3 is CO.sub.2H or
CO.sub.2R.sup.4, the other is H. In some embodiments, the
fluorescent dye moiety emits in the near infrared spectrum. Some
embodiments further include a chelated metal.
[0137] In some embodiments, the compound has the structure shown
below.
##STR00057##
[0138] In some embodiments, the compound has the structure shown
below.
##STR00058##
[0139] In some embodiments, the compound has the structure shown
below.
##STR00059##
[0140] In some embodiments, the compound has the structure shown
below.
##STR00060##
[0141] In some embodiments, p is 1, 2 or 3. In some embodiments, p
is 2. In some embodiments R.sup.1 is C.sub.2-C.sub.12 aryl. In some
embodiments, R.sup.1 is phenyl.
[0142] In some embodiments, p is 0.
[0143] In some embodiments, R.sup.3 is CO.sub.2H and R.sup.2 is H.
In some embodiments, R.sup.2 is CO.sub.2H and R.sup.3 is H. In some
embodiments, R.sup.2 is CO.sub.2R.sup.4, and R.sup.3 is H. In some
embodiments, R.sup.3 is CO.sub.2R.sup.4, and R.sup.2 is H. In some
embodiments R.sup.4 is C.sub.2-C.sub.12 aryl, or C.sub.4-C.sub.16
alkylaryl. In some R.sup.4 is benzyl. In some embodiments, R.sup.2
is H, and R.sup.3 is H.
[0144] In some embodiments V and V' are individually C(O)-- or
NRC(S)--. This means that one of V and V' may be C(O)--, while the
other is NRC(S)--, or that both V and V' are either C(O)-- or
NRC(S)--. V and V' will be determined, in part, on the type of FG
and Ch used.
[0145] FG is a fluorescent dye moiety which emits light in the
visible or near infrared spectrum. Exemplary fluorescent dye
moieties are described previously.
[0146] Ch is a metal chelating group. Suitable metal chelating
groups are described previously. In some embodiments, the compound
further includes a chelated metal. The list of Exemplary metals and
isotopes thereof are described previously.
[0147] Some embodiments have the structure
##STR00061##
where FG and Ch are described previously, and each V is
individually C(O)-- or NRC(S)--.
[0148] Specific examples of compounds include the structures shown
below.
##STR00062##
[0149] Embodiments include compounds having the structure
##STR00063##
wherein the subunits associated with elements p, q, r, and s may be
in any order. Z is tetrazole or CO.sub.2Q; each Q is independently
selected from hydrogen or a protecting group, and a is 1, 2, 3, or
4. R is each independently H or C.sub.1-C.sub.4 alkyl. In an
exemplary embodiment r is 1. Tz is a triazole group having the
structure
##STR00064##
X.sup.1 is --NRC(O)--, --NRC(O)NR--, NRC(S)NR--, or --NRC(O)O--;
X.sup.2 is --C(O)NR--, --NRC(O)NR--, NRC(S)NR--, or --OC(O)NR--;
R.sup.5 is H, CO.sub.2H, or CO.sub.2R.sup.6, where R.sup.6 is a
C.sub.1-C.sub.6 alkyl, C.sub.2-C.sub.12 aryl, or C.sub.4-C.sub.16
alkylaryl; b is 1, 2, 3, or 4; and d is 1, 2, 3, or 4. In exemplary
embodiments q is 0 or 1, W is --NRC(O)--, --NRC(O)NR--, NRC(S)NR--,
--NRC(O)O--, --OC(O)NR--, --OC(O)--, --C(O)NR--, or --C(O)O--; n is
1, 2, 3, 4, 5 or 6; and R.sup.2 and R.sup.3 are independently H,
CO.sub.2H, or CO.sub.2R.sup.4, where R.sup.4 is a C.sub.1-C.sub.6
alkyl, C.sub.2-C.sub.12 aryl, or C.sub.4-C.sub.16 alkylaryl,
wherein if one of R.sup.2 and R.sup.3 is CO.sub.2H or
CO.sub.2R.sup.4, then the other is H. In exemplary embodiments s is
0 or 1; Y is --C(O)--, --NRC(O)--, --NRC(S)--, --OC(O); and m is 1,
2, 3, 4, 5, or 6. In exemplary embodiments p is 0, 1, 2, or 3, and
when p is 2 or 3, each R.sup.1 may be the same or different; and
R.sup.1 is H, C.sub.1-C.sub.6 alkyl, C.sub.2-C.sub.12 aryl, or
C.sub.4-C.sub.16 alkylaryl. G.sup.1 is a moiety selected from the
group consisting of
##STR00065##
where Ch is a metal chelating moiety, optionally including a
chelated metal; FG is a fluorescent dye moiety which emits in the
visible or near infrared spectrum; one of A and A' is Ch and the
other is FG; V and V' are each independently --C(O)--, --NRC(O)--,
--NRC(S)--, or --OC(O)--; and g is 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, or 6. In some
embodiments, the fluorescent dye moiety emits in the near infrared
spectrum. Some embodiments include a chelated metal. In some
embodiments the subunits associated with elements p, q, and s are
in the order shown. In some embodiments, p is 0.
[0150] Some embodiments have the structure shown below.
##STR00066##
[0151] Some embodiments have the structure shown below.
##STR00067##
[0152] Some embodiments have the structure shown below.
##STR00068##
[0153] In some embodiments Y is C(O)--. In some embodiments, W is
NRC(O)--.
[0154] In some embodiments, p is 1, 2 or 3. In some embodiments, p
is 2. In some embodiments R.sup.1 is C.sub.2-C.sub.12 aryl. In some
embodiments, R.sup.1 is phenyl.
[0155] In some embodiments, p is 0.
[0156] In some embodiments, R.sup.3 is CO.sub.2H and R.sup.2 is H.
In some embodiments, R.sup.2 is CO.sub.2H and R.sup.3 is H. In some
embodiments, R.sup.2 is CO.sub.2R.sup.4, and R.sup.3 is H. In some
embodiments, R.sup.3 is CO.sub.2R.sup.4, and R.sup.2 is H. In some
embodiments R.sup.4 is C.sub.2-C.sub.12 aryl, or C.sub.4-C.sub.16
alkylaryl. In some R.sup.4 is benzyl. In some embodiments, R.sup.2
is H, and R.sup.3 is H.
[0157] In some embodiments, V and V' are individually C(O)-- or
NRC(S)--.
[0158] FG is a fluorescent dye moiety which emits light in the
visible or near infrared spectrum. Exemplary fluorescent dye
moieties are described previously and may be used in these
embodiments.
[0159] Ch is a metal chelating group. Suitable metal chelating
groups are described previously. In some embodiments, the compound
further includes a chelated metal. The list of exemplary metals and
isotopes thereof are described previously and may be used in these
embodiments.
[0160] Examples of compounds include the structures shown below
##STR00069##
[0161] Embodiments of the invention also include intermediates used
to make triazole compounds according to the various embodiments of
the invention. Embodiments include compounds having the
structure
##STR00070##
wherein the subunits associated with elements p, q, r, and s may be
in any order. Z is tetrazole or CO.sub.2Q; each Q is independently
selected from hydrogen or a protecting group, a is 1, 2, 3, or 4,
and R is each independently H or C.sub.1-C.sub.4 alkyl. Variable q
is 0 or 1. W is --NRC(O)--, --NRC(O)NR--, NRC(S)NR--, --NRC(O)O--,
--OC(O)NR--, --OC(O)--, C(O)NR--, or --C(O)O--; R.sup.2 and R.sup.3
are independently H, CO.sub.2H, or CO.sub.2R.sup.4, where R.sup.4
is a C.sub.1-C.sub.6 alkyl, C.sub.2-C.sub.12 aryl, or
C.sub.4-C.sub.16 alkylaryl, wherein if one of R.sup.2 and R.sup.3
is CO.sub.2H or CO.sub.2R.sup.4, then the other is H; n is 1, 2, 3,
4, 5 or 6.
[0162] Variable s is 0 or 1. Y is C(O)--, --NRC(O)--, --NRC(S)--,
--OC(O); and m is 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, or 6.
[0163] Variable p is 0, 1, 2, or 3, and when p is 2 or 3, each
R.sup.1 may be the same or different. R.sup.1 is H, C.sub.1-C.sub.6
alkyl, C.sub.2-C.sub.12 aryl, or C.sub.4-C.sub.16 alkylaryl.
G.sup.2 is
##STR00071##
[0164] In some embodiments, the compound has the structure shown
below.
##STR00072##
[0165] In some embodiments, the compound has the structure shown
below.
##STR00073##
[0166] In some embodiments, the compound has the structure shown
below.
##STR00074##
[0167] Examples include the compounds shown below.
##STR00075##
[0168] Other embodiments include pharmaceutically acceptable salts
of the compounds described in any of the previous embodiments. As
used herein, "pharmaceutically acceptable salts" refer to
derivatives of the disclosed compounds wherein the parent compound
is modified by making non-toxic acid or base salts thereof.
Examples of pharmaceutically acceptable salts include, but are not
limited to, mineral or organic acid salts of basic residues such as
amines; alkali or organic salts of acidic residues such as
carboxylic acids; and the like. The pharmaceutically acceptable
salts include the conventional non-toxic salts or the quaternary
ammonium salts of the parent compound formed, for example, from
non-toxic inorganic or organic acids. For example, conventional
non-toxic acid salts include those derived from inorganic acids
such as hydrochloric, hydrobromic, sulfuric, sulfamic, phosphoric,
nitric and the like; and the salts prepared from organic acids such
as acetic, propionic, succinic, glycolic, stearic, lactic, malic,
tartaric, citric, ascorbic, pamoic, malefic, hydroxymaleic,
phenylacetic, glutamic, benzoic, salicylic, mesylic, sulfanilic,
2-acetoxybenzoic, fumaric, toluenesulfonic, methanesulfonic, ethane
disulfonic, oxalic, isethionic, HOOC--(CH.sub.2).sub.n--COOH where
n is 0-4, and the like. The pharmaceutically acceptable salts of
the present invention can be synthesized from a parent compound
that contains a basic or acidic moiety by conventional chemical
methods. Generally, such salts can be prepared by reacting free
acid forms of these compounds with a stoichiometric amount of the
appropriate base (such as Na, Ca, Mg, or K hydroxide, carbonate,
bicarbonate, or the like), or by reacting free base forms of these
compounds with a stoichiometric amount of the appropriate acid.
Such reactions are typically carried out in water or in an organic
solvent, or in a mixture of the two. Generally, non-aqueous media
like ether, ethyl acetate, ethanol, isopropanol, or acetonitrile
are used, where practicable. Lists of additional suitable salts may
be found, e.g., in Remington's Pharmaceutical Sciences, 17th ed.,
Mack Publishing Company, Easton, Pa., p. 1418 (1985).
Preparation
[0169] The compounds described in the above embodiments may be made
using procedures known in the art. In general, the materials used
will be determined by the desired structure, and the type of
linkage used.
[0170] Often, the compounds are prepared by sequentially adding
components to a preformed urea, such as the lysine-urea-glutamate
compounds described in Banerjee et al. (J. Med. Chem. vol. 51, pp.
4504-4517, 2008). Other urea-based compounds may also be used as
building blocks.
[0171] Compounds are assembled by reactions between different
components, to form linkages such as ureas (--NRC(O)NR--),
thioureas (--NRC(S)NR--), amides (--C(O)NR-- or NRC(O)--), or
esters (--C(O)O-- or OC(O)--). Urea linkages may be readily
prepared by reaction between an amine and an isocyanate, or between
an amine and an activated carbonamide (--NRC(O)--). Thioureas may
be readily prepared from reaction of an amine with an
isothiocyanate. Amides (--C(O)NR-- or NRC(O)--) may be readily
prepared by reactions between amines and activated carboxylic acids
or esters, such as an acyl halide or N-hydroxysuccinimide ester.
Carboxylic acids may also be activated in situ, for example, with a
coupling reagent, such as a carbodiimide, or carbonyldiimidazole
(CDI). Esters may be formed by reaction between alcohols and
activated carboxylic acids. Triazoles are readily prepared by
reaction between an azide and an alkyne, optionally in the presence
of a copper (Cu) catalyst.
[0172] Protecting groups may be used, if necessary, to protect
reactive groups while the compounds are being assembled. Suitable
protecting groups, and their removal, will be readily available to
one of ordinary skill in the art.
[0173] In this way, the compounds may be easily prepared from
individual building blocks, such as amines, carboxylic acids, and
amino acids.
[0174] Often, a Ch or FB group is placed on the compound by adding
a metal chelating group or fluorescent dye to the compound toward
the end of a synthesis, for example by reacting a reactive amine on
the compound with an activated metal chelating group or fluorescent
dye. A wide variety of metal chelating groups and fluorescent dyes
are known in the art, with activated functional groups for reacting
with amines. The type of metal chelating group will be determined,
in part by the desired metal. Selecting a metal chelating group for
a particular metal atom will be apparent to one of ordinary skill
in the art. The fluorescent dye used with be determined, in part,
by the desired wavelength of fluorescence, and may be readily
selected by one of ordinary skill in the art.
[0175] Exemplary procedures for specific compounds are described in
the Examples below. Other compounds within the scope of the claims
can be prepared using readily apparent modifications of these
procedures.
Uses
[0176] Compounds described above, including various radiolabeled
compounds, may be used for diagnostic, imaging, or therapeutic
purposes. In general, the suitability of a particular radioisotope
for a particular purpose (i.e. imaging or therapeutic) is well
understood in the art. Other exemplary embodiments are compounds
used as precursors for radiolabeled compounds, in which a metal or
radioactive isotope of a metal may be added to the compound. Some
compounds according to the invention are intermediates for forming
other compounds of the invention.
Imaging
[0177] Embodiments include methods of imaging one or more cells,
organs or tissues comprising exposing cells to or administering to
a subject an effective amount of a compound with an isotopic label
suitable for imaging. In some embodiments, the one or more organs
or tissues include prostate tissue, kidney tissue, brain tissue,
vascular tissue or tumor tissue. The cells, organs or tissues may
be imaged while within an organism, either by whole body imaging or
intraoperative imaging, or may be excised from the organism for
imaging.
[0178] In another embodiment, the imaging method is suitable for
imaging studies of PSMA inhibitors, for example, by studying
competitive binding of non-radiolabeled inhibitors. In still
another embodiment, the imaging method is suitable for imaging of
cancer, tumor or neoplasm. In a further embodiment, the cancer is
selected from eye or ocular cancer, rectal cancer, colon cancer,
cervical cancer, prostate cancer, breast cancer and bladder cancer,
oral cancer, benign and malignant tumors, stomach cancer, liver
cancer, pancreatic cancer, lung cancer, corpus uteri, ovary cancer,
prostate cancer, testicular cancer, renal cancer, brain cancer
(e.g., gliomas), throat cancer, skin melanoma, acute lymphocytic
leukemia, acute myelogenous leukemia, Ewing's Sarcoma, Kaposi's
Sarcoma, basal cell carinoma and squamous cell carcinoma, small
cell lung cancer, choriocarcinoma, rhabdomyosarcoma, angiosarcoma,
hemangioendothelioma, Wilms Tumor, neuroblastoma, mouth/pharynx
cancer, esophageal cancer, larynx cancer, lymphoma,
neurofibromatosis, tuberous sclerosis, hemangiomas, and
lymphangiogenesis.
[0179] The imaging methods of the invention are suitable for
imaging any physiological process or feature in which PSMA is
involved. Typically, imaging methods are suitable for
identification of areas of tissues or targets which express high
concentrations of PSMA. Typical applications include imaging
glutamateric neurotransmission, presynaptic glutamatergic
neurotransmission, malignant tumors or cancers that express PSMA,
prostate cancer (including metastasized prostate cancer), and
angiogenesis. Essentially all solid tumors express PSMA in the
neovasculture. Therefore, methods of the present invention can be
used to image nearly all solid tumors including lung, renal cell,
glioblastoma, pancreas, bladder, sarcoma, melanoma, breast, colon,
germ cell, pheochromocytoma, esophageal and stomach. Also, certain
benign lesions and tissues including endometrium, schwannoma and
Barrett's esophagus can be imaged according to the present
invention.
[0180] The methods of imaging angiogenesis are suitable for use in
imaging a variety of diseases and disorders in which angiogenesis
takes place. Illustrative, non-limiting, examples include tumors,
collagen vascular disease, cancer, stroke, vascular malformations,
and retinopathy. Methods of imaging angiogenesis are also suitable
for use in diagnosis and observation of normal tissue
development.
[0181] PSMA is frequently expressed in endothelial cells of
capillary vessels in peritumoral and endotumoral areas of various
malignancies such that compounds of the invention and methods of
imaging using same are suitable for imaging such malignancies.
[0182] In certain embodiments, the radiolabeled compound is stable
in vivo.
[0183] In certain embodiments, the radiolabeled compound is
detectable by positron emission tomography (PET) or single photon
emission computed tomography (SPECT).
[0184] In some embodiments, the subject is a human, rat, mouse,
cat, dog, horse, sheep, cow, monkey, avian, or amphibian. In
another embodiment, the cell is in vivo or in vitro. Typical
subjects to which compounds of the invention may be administered
will be mammals, particularly primates, especially humans. For
veterinary applications, a wide variety of subjects will be
suitable, e. g. livestock such as cattle, sheep, goats, cows, swine
and the like; poultry such as chickens, ducks, geese, turkeys, and
the like; and domesticated animals particularly pets such as dogs
and cats. For diagnostic or research applications, a wide variety
of mammals will be suitable subjects including rodents (e.g. mice,
rats, hamsters), rabbits, primates, and swine such as inbred pigs
and the like. Additionally, for in vitro applications, such as in
vitro diagnostic and research applications, body fluids and cell
samples of the above subjects will be suitable for use such as
mammalian, particularly primate such as human, blood, urine or
tissue samples, or blood urine or tissue samples of the animals
mentioned for veterinary applications. In other in vitro
applications, the cells or tissues are present in culture or in
suspension.
[0185] Imaging agents of the invention may be used in accordance
with the methods of the invention by one of skill in the art.
Images can be generated by virtue of differences in the spatial
distribution of the imaging agents which accumulate at a site when
contacted with PSMA. The spatial distribution may be measured using
any means suitable for the particular label, for example, a gamma
camera, a PET apparatus, a SPECT apparatus, a fluorescence camera
and the like. The extent of accumulation of the imaging agent may
be quantified using known methods for quantifying radioactive
emissions. A particularly useful imaging approach employs more than
one imaging agent, or a bimodal agent having a fluorescent dye
moiety and a metal chelating group, such as those described above,
to perform simultaneous studies.
[0186] In general, a detectably effective amount of the imaging
agent is administered to a subject. As used herein, "a detectably
effective amount" of the imaging agent is defined as an amount
sufficient to yield an acceptable image using equipment which is
available for clinical use. A detectably effective amount of the
imaging agent may be administered in more than one injection. The
detectably effective amount of the imaging agent can vary according
to factors such as the degree of susceptibility of the individual,
the age, sex, and weight of the individual, idiosyncratic responses
of the individual, and the dosimetry. Detectably effective amounts
of the imaging agent can also vary according to instrument and
film-related factors. Optimization of such factors is well within
the level of skill in the art. The amount of imaging agent used for
diagnostic purposes and the duration of the imaging study will
depend upon the radionuclide used to label the agent, the body mass
of the patient, the nature and severity of the condition being
treated, the nature of therapeutic treatments which the patient has
undergone, and on the idiosyncratic responses of the patient.
Ultimately, the attending physician will decide the amount of
imaging agent to administer to each individual patient and the
duration of the imaging study.
[0187] In some embodiments, the compounds are excreted from tissues
of the body quickly to prevent prolonged exposure to the radiation
of the radiolabeled compound administered to the patient.
Generally, the compounds are excreted from tissues of the body
slowly enough to allow sufficient time for imaging or other use.
Typicaly compounds of the invention are eliminated from the body in
less than about 24 hours. More typically, compounds of the
invention are eliminated from the body in less than about 16 hours,
12 hours, 8 hours, 6 hours, 4 hours, 2 hours, 90 minutes, or 60
minutes. Exemplary compounds are eliminated in between about 60
minutes and about 120 minutes.
[0188] In some embodiments of the invention, the compounds are
designed to increase uptake in PSMA positive cells (i.e. tumor
cells). For example, highly hydrophilic compounds may be excreted
quickly. Compounds with increased hydrophobicity, such as compounds
having hydrophobic linkers, may have longer circulation times,
thereby providing more prolonged supply of tracer to bind to cells.
According to embodiments of compounds according to the invention,
hydrophobicity can be increased when, for example, p is 1 or more,
or when R.sup.2 or R.sup.3 is CO.sub.2R.sup.4
Therapeutic Uses
[0189] Embodiments of the invention include methods of treating a
tumor comprising administering a therapeutically effective amount
of a compound discussed above, where the compound includes a
therapeutically effective radioisotope. The development of low
molecular weight radiotherapeutic agents is much different from
developing radiopharmaceuticals for imaging in that longer tumor
residence times may be important for the former.
[0190] In some embodiments, the tumor cells may express PSMA, such
as prostate tumor cells or metastasized prostate tumor cells. In
other embodiments, a tumor may be treated by targeting adjacent or
nearby cells which express PSMA. For example, vascular cells
undergoing angiogenesis associated with a tumor may be targeted.
Essentially all solid tumors express PSMA in the neovasculture.
Therefore, methods of the present invention can be used to treat
nearly all solid tumors including lung, renal cell, glioblastoma,
pancreas, bladder, sarcoma, melanoma, breast, colon, germ cell,
pheochromocytoma, esophageal and stomach. Also, certain benign
lesions and tissues including endometrium, schwannoma and Barrett's
esophagus can be treated according to the present invention.
Examples of therapeutically effective radioisotopes include
.sup.90Y, .sup.177Lu, .sup.186Re, .sup.188Re, .sup.67Cu,
.sup.225Ac, .sup.213Bi, .sup.212Bi, .sup.67Ga, .sup.111In,
.sup.153Sm, .sup.212Pb .sup.131I and .sup.211At.
Cell Sorting
[0191] Embodiments include methods for sorting cells by exposing
the cells to a compound discussed above, where the compound
includes a fluorescent dye moiety, followed by separating cells
which bind the compound from cells which do not bind the
compound.
[0192] Fluorescent compounds described above bind to PSMA on cells
that express PSMA on the cell surface. In some cases, fluorescent
compound is internalized. Cells binding the fluorescent compound
appear fluorescent, and may be imaged using fluorescence
microscopy. Fluorescence-activated cell sorting (FACS) or flow
cytometry may be used to separate PSMA positive cells from PSMA
negative cells.
Intraoperative Tumor Mapping
[0193] Embodiments of the invention include methods of
intraoperative tumor mapping or intraoperative photodiagnosis (PDD)
by administering an effective amount of a compound discussed above
to a subject, where the compound includes a fluorescent dye moiety.
According to such embodiments, an effective amount of a compound is
an amount sufficient to produce a detectable level of fluorescence
when used for intraoperative tumor mapping or PDD. The compounds
bind to, and may be internalized into, cells, particularly tumor
cells, that express PSMA. The fluorescent compounds thereby define
the boundaries of the tumor, allowing for accurate surgical
removal. The compounds that includes a fluorescent dye moiety may
also be used to visualize circulating tumor cells that express
PSMA.
[0194] Pharmaceutical Compositions and Kits
[0195] The compounds discussed herein can be formulated into
various compositions, for use in diagnostic, imaging or therapeutic
treatment methods. The compositions (e.g. pharmaceutical
compositions) can be assembled as a kit. Generally, a
pharmaceutical composition comprises an effective amount (e.g., a
pharmaceutically effective amount, or detectably effective amount)
of a compound described above.
[0196] A composition of the invention can be formulated as a
pharmaceutical composition, which comprises a compound of the
invention and pharmaceutically acceptable carrier. By a
"pharmaceutically acceptable carrier" is meant a material that is
not biologically or otherwise undesirable, i.e., the material may
be administered to a subject without causing any undesirable
biological effects or interacting in a deleterious manner with any
of the other components of the pharmaceutical composition in which
it is contained. The carrier would naturally be selected to
minimize any degradation of the active ingredient and to minimize
any adverse side effects in the subject, as would be well known to
one of skill in the art. For a discussion of pharmaceutically
acceptable carriers and other components of pharmaceutical
compositions, see, e.g., Remington's Pharmaceutical Sciences,
18.sup.th ed., Mack Publishing Company, 1990. Some suitable
pharmaceutical carriers will be evident to a skilled worker and
include, e.g., water (including sterile and/or deionized water),
suitable buffers (such as PBS), physiological saline, cell culture
medium (such as DMEM), artificial cerebral spinal fluid, or the
like.
[0197] A pharmaceutical composition or kit of the invention can
contain other pharmaceuticals, in addition to the compound. The
other agent(s) can be administered at any suitable time during the
treatment of the patient, either concurrently or sequentially.
[0198] One skilled in the art will appreciate that the particular
formulation will depend, in part, upon the particular agent that is
employed, and the chosen route of administration. Accordingly,
there is a wide variety of suitable formulations of compositions of
the present invention.
[0199] One skilled in the art will appreciate that a suitable or
appropriate formulation can be selected, adapted or developed based
upon the particular application at hand. Dosages for compositions
of the invention can be in unit dosage form. The term "unit dosage
form" as used herein refers to physically discrete units suitable
as unitary dosages for animal (e.g. human) subjects, each unit
containing a predetermined quantity of an agent of the invention,
alone or in combination with other therapeutic agents, calculated
in an amount sufficient to produce the desired effect in
association with a pharmaceutically acceptable diluent, carrier, or
vehicle.
[0200] One skilled in the art can easily determine the appropriate
dose, schedule, and method of administration for the exact
formulation of the composition being used, in order to achieve the
desired effective amount or effective concentration of the agent in
the individual patient.
[0201] The dose of a composition of the invention, administered to
an animal, particularly a human, in the context of the present
invention should be sufficient to produce at least a detectable
amount of a diagnostic or therapeutic response in the individual
over a reasonable time frame. The dose used to achieve a desired
effect will be determined by a variety of factors, including the
potency of the particular agent being administered, the
pharmacodynamics associated with the agent in the host, the
severity of the disease state of infected individuals, other
medications being administered to the subject, etc. The size of the
dose also will be determined by the existence of any adverse side
effects that may accompany the particular agent, or composition
thereof, employed. It is generally desirable, whenever possible, to
keep adverse side effects to a minimum. The dose of the
biologically active material will vary; suitable amounts for each
particular agent will be evident to a skilled worker.
[0202] Other embodiments provide kits including a compound
according to the invention. In certain embodiments, the kit
provides packaged pharmaceutical compositions having a
pharmaceutically acceptable carrier and a compound of the
invention. In some embodiments the packaged pharmaceutical
composition will include the reaction precursors necessary to
generate the compound of the invention upon combination with a
radionuclide. Other packaged pharmaceutical compositions provided
by the present invention further comprise indicia comprising at
least one of: instructions for preparing compounds according to the
invention from supplied precursors, instructions for using the
composition to image cells or tissues expressing PSMA, or
instructions for using the composition to image glutamatergic
neurotransmission in a patient suffering from a stress-related
disorder, or instructions for using the composition to image
prostate cancer.
[0203] In certain embodiments, a kit according to the invention
contains from about 1 mCi to about 30 mCi of the
radionuclide-labeled imaging agent described above, in combination
with a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier. The imaging agent and
carrier may be provided in solution or in lyophilized form. When
the imaging agent and carrier of the kit are in lyophilized form,
the kit may optionally contain a sterile and physiologically
acceptable reconstitution medium such as water, saline, buffered
saline, and the like. The kit may provide a compound of the
invention in solution or in lyophilized form, and these components
of the kit of the invention may optionally contain stabilizers such
as NaCl, silicate, phosphate buffers, ascorbic acid, gentisic acid,
and the like. Additional stabilization of kit components may be
provided in this embodiment, for example, by providing the reducing
agent in an oxidation-resistant form. Determination and
optimization of such stabilizers and stabilization methods are well
within the level of skill in the art.
[0204] A "pharmaceutically acceptable carrier" refers to a
biocompatible solution, having due regard to sterility, p[Eta],
isotonicity, stability, and the like and can include any and all
solvents, diluents (including sterile saline, Sodium Chloride
Injection, Ringer's Injection, Dextrose Injection, Dextrose and
Sodium Chloride Injection, Lactated Ringer's Injection and other
aqueous buffer solutions), dispersion media, coatings,
antibacterial and antifungal agents, isotonic agents, and the like.
The pharmaceutically acceptable carrier may also contain
stabilizers, preservatives, antioxidants, or other additives, which
are well known to one of skill in the art, or other vehicle as
known in the art.
[0205] The contents of all cited references (including literature
references, issued patents, published patent applications) as cited
throughout this application are hereby expressly incorporated by
reference. The invention and the manner and process of making and
using it, are described in such full, clear, concise and exact
terms as to enable any person skilled in the art to which it
pertains, to make and use the same.
[0206] While the invention has been described and illustrated with
reference to certain particular embodiments thereof, those skilled
in the art will appreciate that various adaptations, changes,
modifications, substitutions, deletions, or additions of procedures
and protocols may be made without departing from the spirit and
scope of the invention. It is intended, therefore, that the
invention be defined by the scope of the claims that follow and
that such claims be interpreted as broadly as is reasonable.
[0207] It is to be understood that the foregoing describes
exemplary embodiments of the present invention and that
modifications may be made therein without departing from the spirit
or scope of the present invention as set forth in the appended
claims.
EXAMPLES
[0208] The present invention is further illustrated by the
following examples which should not be construed as limiting in any
way. The practice of the present invention will employ, unless
otherwise indicated, conventional techniques, which are within the
skill of the art. Such techniques are explained fully in the
literature.
Example 1
2-{3-[5-(7-{5-[4-(2-Amino-2-carboxy-ethyl)-[1,2,3]triazol-1-yl]-1-carboxy--
pentylcarbamoyl}-heptanoylamino)-1-carboxy-pentyl]-ureido}-pentanedioic
acid, Compound SRV32
[0209] The compound SRV32 was prepared in three steps following the
scheme shown below.
##STR00076## ##STR00077##
[0210] The compound 1 was prepared from literature method (Banerjee
et al., J Med Chem, vol. 51, pp. 4504-4517, 2008). To a solution of
compound 1 (100 mg, 0.107 mmol in 5 ml DMF) was added
H-Lys(e-azide)-OH(20 mg, 0.107 mmol) (Boc-Lys(Azide)-OH was
purchased from Anaspec. The removal of Boc group was done by
treating the commercial compound with 1:1 TFA:CH.sub.2Cl.sub.2 at
room temperature for 4 hr, and the solution was stirred for 16 h at
rt. The solvent was removed under vacuum. The solid residue thus
obtained was dissolved in 10 ml ethyl acetate and extracted with
3.times.10 mL water. Organic layer was dried under vacuum to get a
colorless solid as the protected azido urea compound SRV25. ESIMS:
991[M+1].sup.+. To the Compound SRV25 (60 mg, 0.06 mmol in 1 ml
t-BuOH), was added N(a)-Boc-L-propargylglycine(Anaspec) (14 mg,
0.012 mmol in 1 ml t-BuOH), followed by Cu(OAc).sub.2.H.sub.2O (2
mg, 0.012 mmol in 1 ml water) and sodium ascorbate (4.75 mg, 0.024
mmol in 1 ml water) and the mixture stirred at room temperature for
12 h. The product was extracted into CH.sub.2Cl.sub.2 and washed
twice with aqueous NaCl. The aqueous phases were re-extracted with
CH.sub.2C.sub.2. The organic phases were combined, dried over
Na.sub.2SO.sub.4 and evaporated. The product, compound SRV29, was
purified by a silica gel pipette column eluted with solution of
90/10 CH.sub.2Cl.sub.2/MeOH. ESIMS: Calcd for
C.sub.60H.sub.82N.sub.8O.sub.18 1203.57. found 1204[M+1].sup.+.
[0211] The compound SRV29 was dissolved in 2 ml 1/1 CHCl.sub.3/TFA
and stirred overnight. The solution was removed under vacuum to get
a colorless solid. The solid was washed 3 times with 5 ml
CH.sub.2Cl.sub.2 to remove impurities. The crude solid, compound
SRV32 was further purified by HPLC using a 85/15 water/acetonitrile
(0.1% TFA in each) flow rate 4 ml, R.sub.t=10.2 min. ESMS:
742.77[M+1]+, .sup.1H NMR (D.sub.2O) .delta.: 7.46 (M, 1H), 5.2 (m,
2H) 4.35 (m, 1H), 4.26 (m, 1H), 4.18 (m, 1H), 3.80-3.70 (m, 1H),
3.18 (t, J=6 Hz, 2H), 2.69 (m, 2H), 2.51 (t, J=7.6 Hz, 2H),
2.40-2.18 (m, 25H).
[0212] Radiolabeling with Tc-99m was performed by the same
procedure described previously (Banerjee et al., J Med Chem, vol.
51, pp. 4504-4517, 2008).
Biodistribution and Imaging
[0213] A single SCID mouse implanted with both a PC-3 PIP (PSMA+)
and a PC-3 flu (PSMA-) xenograft was injected intravenously with
compound .sup.99mTc-SRV32 in saline. At 0.5 hr, 1 hr, 2 h, and 5 h
p.i. the mouse was anesthetized with isoflurane and maintained
under 1% isoflurane in oxygen. The mouse was positioned on the
X-SPECT (Gamma Medica, Northridge, Calif.) gantry and was scanned
using two low energy, high-resolution pinhole collimators (Gamma
Medica) rotating through 360.degree. in 6.degree. increments for 45
seconds per increment. All gamma images were reconstructed using
Lunagem software (Gamma Medica, Northridge, Calif.). Immediately
following SPECT acquisition, the mice were then scanned by CT
(X-SPECT) over a 4.6 cm field-of-view using a 600 nA, 50 kV beam.
The SPECT and CT data were then coregistered using the supplier's
software (Gamma Medica, Northridge, Calif.) and displayed using
AMIDE (http://amide.sourceforge.net/). Data were reconstructed
using the Ordered Subsets-Expectation Maximization (OS-EM)
algorithm.
[0214] Tissue biodistribution was measured. Results are summarized
in the following table. .sup.99mTc-SRV32 exhibited high uptake
(.about.7% ID/g at 30 minutes), and good clearance from non-target
tissues.
TABLE-US-00001 Tissue 30 min 60 min 120 min 300 min blood 1.38 .+-.
0.4 0.63 .+-. 0.1 0.61 .+-. 0.3 0.19 .+-. 0.1 liver 14.26 .+-. 01.0
9.81 .+-. 2.0 5.65 .+-. 0.5 3.06 .+-. 0.6 stomach 0.77 .+-. 0.1
0.42 .+-. 0.09 0.29 .+-. 0.1 0.18 .+-. 0.1 spleen 26.10 .+-. 9.0
17.31 .+-. 6.6 5.80 .+-. 1.9 1.26 .+-. 0.5 kidney 139.53 .+-. 17.2
144.65 .+-. 15.1 151.23 .+-. 37.1 80.00 .+-. 8.4 muscle 0.56 .+-.
0.1 0.40 .+-. 0.2 0.16 .+-. 0.1 0.51 .+-. 0.6 small 1.94 .+-. 1.1
0.74 .+-. 0.3 0.39 .+-. 0.2 0.26 .+-. 0.2 intestine large 0.61 .+-.
0.1 0.36 .+-. 0.1 0.53 .+-. 0.4 2.96 .+-. 1.3 intestine bladder
1.07 .+-. 0.1 3.09 .+-. 2.6 5.39 .+-. 7.1 2.74 .+-. 2.1 PC-3 PIP
6.67 .+-. 1.6 5.32 .+-. 1.2 3.77 .+-. 0.8 2.19 .+-. 0.5 PC-3 flu
0.75 .+-. 0.2 0.45 .+-. 0.3 0.35 .+-. 0.2 0.43 .+-. 0.4
[0215] A single SCID mouse implanted with a PSMA+ LnCaP xenograft
was injected intravenously with compound .sup.99mTc-SRV32 in
saline. At 0.5 hr, and 3.5 hr p.i. the mouse was anesthetized with
isoflurane and maintained under 1% isoflurane in oxygen. The mouse
was positioned on the X-SPECT (Gamma Medica, Northridge, Calif.)
gantry and was scanned using two low energy, high-resolution
pinhole collimators (Gamma Medica) rotating through 360.degree. in
6.degree. increments for 45 seconds per increment. All gamma images
were reconstructed using Lunagem software (Gamma Medica,
Northridge, Calif.) Immediately following SPECT acquisition, the
mice were scanned by CT (X-SPECT) over a 4.6 cm field-of-view using
a 600 .mu.A, 50 kV beam. The SPECT and CT data were then
coregistered using the supplier's software (Gamma Medica,
Northridge, Calif.) and displayed using AMIDE
(http://amide.sourceforge.net/). Data were reconstructed using the
Ordered Subsets-Expectation Maximization (OS-EM) algorithm. Images
are shown in FIGS. 1A-1B.
Comparative Example 1
[0216] Under the same conditions, tumor uptake for compound
.sup.99mTc-L1, shown below, was determined Results are summarized
in the following table. The data show that while .sup.99mTC-L1
shows good retention, compound .sup.99mTc-SRV32 has greater
retention in vivo both for target tumor and nontarget tissues, and
lower GI uptake than the previous .sup.99mTcL1 compound at initial
time points.
##STR00078##
TABLE-US-00002 Tissue 30 min 60 min 120 min 300 min PC-3 PIP 7.9
.+-. 4 3.9 .+-. 0.6 2.0 .+-. 0.8 0.8 .+-. 0.5 PC-3 flu 0.3 .+-. 0.2
0.2 .+-. 0.1 0.05 .+-. 0.02 0.01 .+-. 0.01
Example 2
.sup.68Ga Compounds
General
[0217] Solvents and chemicals obtained from commercial sources were
of analytical grade or better and used without further
purification. All experiments were performed in duplicate or
triplicate to ensure reproducibility. Analytical thin-layer
chromatography (TLC) was performed using Aldrich aluminum-backed
0.2 mm silica gel Z19, 329-1 plates and visualized by ultraviolet
light (254 nm), 12 and 1% ninhydrin in EtOH. Flash chromatography
was performed using silica gel purchased from Bodman (Aston PA), MP
SiliTech 32-63 D 60A. .sup.1H NMR spectra were recorded on either a
Varian Mercury 400 MHz or on a Bruker Ultrashield.TM. 400 MHz
spectrometer. Chemical shifts (6) are reported in ppm downfield by
reference to proton resonances resulting from incomplete
deuteration of the NMR solvent. Low resolution ESI mass spectra
were obtained on a Bruker Daltonics Esquire 3000 Plus spectrometer.
Higher-resolution FAB mass spectra were obtained on a JOEL
JMS-AX505HA mass spectrometer in the mass spectrometer facility at
the University of Notre Dame. Optical rotation was measured on a
Jasco P-1010 polarimeter Infrared spectra were obtained on a Bruker
Tensor 27 spectrometer. High-performance liquid chromatography
(HPLC) purification of new compounds was performed using a
Phenomenex C.sub.18 Luna 10-.times. 250 mm.sup.2 column on a Waters
600E Delta LC system with a Waters 486 tunable absorbance UV/Vis
detector, both controlled by Empower software.
[0218] For purification of radiolabeled [.sup.68Ga]SRV100, a Varian
Microsorb-Mv C.sub.18 250.times.4.6 mm.sup.2 column was used. HPLC
was performed using the following isocratic conditions: For Method
1, the mobile phase was 80% solvent A (0.1% TFA in water) and 20%
solvent B (0.1% TFA in CH.sub.3CN), flow rate 4 mL/min; for Method
2, the mobile phase was 80% solvent A and 20% solvent B, flow rate
1 mL/min. Method 1 was used for purification of compounds SRV27,
[.sup.69/71Ga]SRV27, SRV100, [.sup.69/71Ga]SRV100 and
[.sup.68Ga]SRV27.
[0219] For purification of [.sup.68Ga]SRV100 Method 2 was used. For
radiosynthetic purification, HPLC was performed on a Varian Prostar
System (Palo Alto, Calif.), equipped with a model 490 UV absorbance
detector and a Bioscan NaI scintillation detector connected to a
Bioscan Flow-count system controlled by Empower software.
Radiochemistry
[0220] .sup.68Ga labeling protocol for compound SRV27 was done
following a literature procedure (Zhernosekov et al., J Nucl Med,
vol. 48, pp. 1741-1748, 2007). A detailed description is given
below. [0221] 1. 13.2mCi of .sup.68Ga in 7 mL of 0.1N HCl were
obtained from more than 1-year-old 740-MBq generator. The solution
was transferred on a cation-exchange cartridge, Phenomenex
Strata-X-C tubes (33 .mu.m strong cation exchange resin, part no.
8B-S029-TAK, 30 mg/1 ml). [0222] 2. The column was eluted with 5 ml
of a solution of 20/80 0.10N hydrochloric acid/acetone. The eluant
remaining on the cation-exchanger was removed by passage of
nitrogen. These two processes aimed to remove most of the remaining
chemical and radiochemical impurities from the resin, whereas
.sup.68Ga(III) should quantitatively remain on the column. [0223]
3. The column was filled with 150 .mu.L of a 2.4/97.6 0.05N
HCl/acetone solution. About 2 min standing appeared to be best for
complete desorption of the .sup.68Ga(III) from the resin into the
liquid phase. An additional 250 .mu.L of this mixture were applied,
and the purified .sup.68Ga(III) was obtained in 400 .mu.L of this
eluent overall. [0224] 4. The fraction (400 .mu.L eluent) was used
directly for the labeling of DOTA-urea compound. The processed
activity was added to 500 .mu.L pure H.sub.2O in a standard glass
reagent vial containing 100 .mu.l (92 nmol, 1 mg/mL solution) of
ligand. No buffer solution was added. The reaction vial was heated
at 95.degree. C. for 10 min. The complexation was monitored by
injecting aliquots of 100 .mu.l (210 .mu.Ci) of the solution in
HPLC. Product obtained=160 .mu.Ci. Radiochemical
Yield=(160/210).times.100=76.19% (without decay correction).
Solvent system 80/20 water/acetonitrile (0.1% TFA in each), R.sub.t
(retention time)=25 min for the compound and R.sub.t=19 min for the
free ligand. Product obtained=5.92 MBq. For [.sup.68Ga]SRV27,
radiochemical yield: 76.2% (without decay correction). HPLC was
performed by Method 1 as described in the General experimental
section. R.sub.t=25 min for the desired product and R.sub.t=19 min
for the free ligand. For [.sup.68Ga]SRV100, radiochemical yield:
70%. HPLC was performed by Method 2 as mentioned in General
experimental section. R.sub.t=22 5 min for the desired product and
R.sub.t=16 min for the free ligand.
Cell Lines and Tumor Models
[0225] PC-3 PIP (PSMA+) and PC-3 flu (PSMA.sup.-) cell lines were
obtained from Dr. Warren Heston (Cleveland Clinic) and were
maintained as previously described (Mease et al., Clin Cancer Res,
vol. 14, pp. 3036-3043, 2008). LNCaP cells were obtained from
American Type Culture Collection (ATCC, Manassas, Va.) and were
maintained as per ATCC guidelines. All cells were grown to 80-90%
confluence before trypsinization and formulation in Hank's Balanced
Salt Solution (HBSS, Sigma, St. Louis, Mo.) for implantation into
mice.
[0226] Animal studies were undertaken in compliance with
institutional guidelines related to the conduct of animal
experiments. For biodistribution studies of [.sup.68Ga]SRV27, and
[.sup.68Ga]SRV100 and imaging studies of [.sup.68Ga]SRV100, male
SCID mice (NCI) were implanted subcutaneously with
1-5.times.10.sup.6 PSMA+ PC-3 PIP and PSMA- PC-3 flu cells behind
either shoulder. For imaging studies of [.sup.68Ga]SRV27, male SCID
mice (NCI) were implanted subcutaneously with 5.times.10.sup.6
LNCaP cells behind the right shoulder. Mice were imaged or used in
biodistribution studies when the tumor xenografts reached 3-5 mm in
diameter.
Synthesis of SRV27
2-{3-[5-(7-{1-Benzyloxycarbonyl-5-[2-(4,7,10-tris-carboxymethyl-1,4,7,10te-
traazacyclododec-1-yl)-acetylamino]-pentylcarbamoyl}-heptanoylamino)-1-car-
boxy-pentyl]-ureido}-pentanedioic acid (SRV27)
[0227] Compound SRV27 was prepared in three steps according the
following scheme.
##STR00079## ##STR00080##
[0228] Compound 1 was prepared according to a literature method
(Banerjee et al., J Med Chem, vol. 51, pp. 4504-4517, 2008). To a
solution of compound 1 (100 mg, 0.11 mmol in 5 mL DMF) was added
H-Lys(Boc)-OBz (36 mg, 0.11 mmol) (Hamachi et al., Chem. Eur. J.,
vol. 5, pp. 1503-1511, 1999). The solution was stirred for 16 h at
ambient temperature. The solvent was removed under vacuum. The
solid residue thus obtained was dissolved in 10 mL ethyl acetate
and extracted with 3.times.10 mL water. The organic layer was dried
under vacuum to provide a colorless solid ESIMS: 1154 [M+1].sup.+.
This crude compound was dissolved in 3 mL CHCl.sub.3 followed by
addition of 3 mL TFA at 0.degree. C. The solution was allowed to
stir overnight at ambient temperature. The volume of the solution
was reduced under vacuum and the solid residue was washed with
3.times.5 mL CH.sub.2Cl.sub.2 to remove impurities. The colorless
solid residue, 3, was dried under vacuum to give 80 mg of compound
3. Compound 3 was purified further by using a 2 g Sep Pak C.sub.18
cartridge with a solution of 85/15 water/acetonitrile (0.1% TFA in
each). .sup.1H NMR (D.sub.2O, 6): 7.5 (bm, 5H), 4.27 (m, 1H), 4.12
(m, 1H), 3.99 (m, 1H), 3.04 (m, 4H), 2.38 (m, 2H), 2.3-1.0 (m,
27H). ESIMS: 694 [M+1].sup.+. To a solution of DOTA-mono-NHS (54
mg, 0.11 mmol in 5 mL DMF) was added 3 (80 mg, 0.08 mmol) and TEA
(60 .mu.L, 0.43 mmol) and the solution was allowed to stir for 16 h
at ambient temperature. Solvent was removed under vacuum and the
crude solid, SRV27, was purified by HPLC Method 1, retention time
19 min. Yield: 40%. ESMS: 1080[M+1].sup.+, HRESI.sup.+-MS: Calcd.
for C.sub.49H.sub.22N.sub.9O.sub.18, 1080.5487 [M+H]. found:
1080.5459. .sup.1H NMR (D.sub.2O) .delta.: 7.88 (m, 4H), 4.26-4.1
(m, 5H), 3.45-3.18 (m, 16H), 2.52-2.43 (m, 16H), 2.40-2.18 (m,
25H). 13C (CD.sub.3CO.sub.2D) d: 177.5, 177.6, 175.3, 172.3, 160.6,
160.2, 159.8, 159.5, 135.5, 128.5, 128.4, 119.9, 117, 114.0, 111.3,
67.3, 55.5, 53.1, 51.0, 49.9, 30.7, 28.0, 26.4, 25.1.
2-{3-[5-(7-{1-Benzyloxycarbonyl-5-[2-(4,7,10-tris-carboxymethyl-1,4,7,10te-
traaza-cyclododec-1-yl)-acetylamino]-pentylcarbamoyl}-heptanoylamino)-1-ca-
rboxy-pentyl]-ureido}-pentanedioic acid Gallium (III), SRV31
([.sup.69/71Ga]-SRV27)
[0229] To a solution of GaNO.sub.3 (10 mg, 39 .mu.mol) in deionized
water was added compound SRV27 (4.2 mg, 39 .mu.mol) in 1 mL
deionized water and the resulting solution was heated in boiling
water for 10 min. The solvent was evaporated to dryness and the
crude residue was purified by HPLC using a 80/20 water/acetonitrile
(0.1% TFA in each), flow rate 8 ml/min. Retention time for the
product was at 12 min. Yield: .about.35% ESMS: 1146[M+1].sup.+,
.sup.1H NMR (D.sub.2O) .delta.: 7.88 (m, 4H), 4.26-4.1 (m, 5H),
3.45 (m, 8H) 3.18 (m, 8H), 2.69 (m, 8H), 2.51 (m, 8H), 2.40-2.18
(m, 25H).
SRV100
2-[3-(1-Carboxy-5-{7-[5-carboxy-5-{3-phenyl-2-{3-phenyl-2-[2-(4,7,10-tris--
carboxymethyl-1,4,7,10-tetraaza-cyclododec-1-yl)-acetylamino]-propionylami-
no}-propionylamino)-pentylcarbamoyl]-heptanoylamino}-pentyl)-ureido]-penta-
nedioic acid, (SRV100)
[0230] Compound SRV100 was prepared according to the scheme shown
in FIG. 4. Fmoc-Lys(Boc)-Wang resin (100 mg, 0.43 mM) was allowed
to swell with CH.sub.2Cl.sub.2 (3 mL) followed by DMF (3 mL). A
solution of 20% piperidine in DMF (3.times.3 mL) was added to the
resin that was then shaken gently on a mechanical shaker for 30 min
at ambient temperature. The resin was washed with DMF (3.times.3
mL) and CH.sub.2Cl.sub.2 (3.times.3 mL). Formation of free amine
was assessed by the Kaiser test (Kaiser et al., Anal Biochem, vol.
34, pp. 595-598, 1970). After swelling the resin in DMF, a solution
of Fmoc-Phe-OH (3 eq), HBTU (3 eq), HOBt (3 eq), and DIPEA (4.0 eq)
in DMF was added and gently shaken for 2 h. The resin was then
washed with DMF (3.times.3 mL) and CH.sub.2Cl.sub.2 (3.times.3 mL).
The coupling efficiency was assessed by the Kaiser Test. That
aforementioned sequence was repeated for two more coupling steps
with Fmoc-Phe-OH and DOTA-(t-butyl ester).sub.3-CO.sub.2H. The
resulting compound was cleaved from the resin using TFA:
CH.sub.2Cl.sub.2 (1:1) and concentrated under vacuum to produce the
free amine. The concentrated product was purified by using a
C.sub.18 SepPak Vac 2 g column. The product was eluted with a
solution 70/30 water/acetonitrile (0.1% TFA in each). ESIMS:827
[M+1].sup.+. Lyophilized amine (10 mg, 12 .mu.mol in 2 mL DMF) was
added to 1 (prepared separately) (20 mg, 21.4 .mu.mol in 1 mL DMF)
followed by TEA (214 .mu.mol, 30 .mu.L) and then stirred at
25.degree. C. for 16 h. After solvent removal, solid residue was
treated with 3 mL TFA: CH.sub.2Cl.sub.2 to remove the PMB group.
The residue was washed 2.times.5 mL CH.sub.2Cl.sub.2 to remove
impurities. The colorless solid residue thus obtained was purified
by a C18 SepPak Vac 2 g column using an eluent of 70/30
water/acetonitrile (0.1% TFA in each) to produce SRV100 (SR-V-100).
The product was further purified using preparative RP-HPLC by
Method 1, retention time 17 min. Yield: 30%. ESMS m/Z: 1284[M+H]+,
HRESI+-MS: Calcd. for C.sub.68H.sub.90N.sub.11O.sub.20, 1284.6365
[M+H]. found: 1284.6358. .sup.1H NMR (CD.sub.3CO.sub.2D) .delta.:
7.35-7.20 (m, 10H), 4.86 (bm, 2H), 4.57-4.46 (4H), 4.4-2.8 (m, 14
H), 2.51 (t, 2h), 2.4-1.2 (m, 28H). 13C (CD.sub.3CO.sub.2D)
.delta.: 176.5, 177, 177.06, 177.6, 173.6, 173.24, 161.3, 160.92,
160.53, 160.14, 159.77, 137.95, 137.06, 130.5, 129.5, 127.9, 127.71
118.0, 115.1, 112.3, 56.1, 55.5, 53.5, 53.3, 40.1, 38.8, 36.832.6,
31.8, 30.7, 29.42, 27.9, 26.53.
2-[3-(1-Carboxy-5-{7-[5-carboxy-5-(3-phenyl-2-{3-phenyl-2-[2-(4,7,10-tris--
carboxymethyl-1,4,7,10tetraaza-cyclododec-1-yl)-acetylamino]-propionylamin-
o}-propionylamino)-pentylcarbamoyl]-heptanoylamino}-pentyl)-ureido]-pentan-
edioic acid Gallium (III), [.sup.69/71Ga]SRV100
[0231] This compound was prepared according to the same general
procedure as described for [.sup.69/71Ga]SRV27. Compound
[.sup.69/71Ga]SRV100 was purified by Method 1, retention time 22
min. Yield: .about.30%. ESMS m/Z: 1351[M+H].sup.+, HRESI.sup.+-MS:
Calcd. For C.sub.68H.sub.86GaN.sub.11NaO.sub.20, 1372.5204
[M+Na].sup.+. found: 1372.5199.
Compound Characterization--Lipophilicity
[0232] Partition coefficients, log.sub.o/w (pH=7.4) values were
determined according to a literature procedure (Antunes et al.,
Bioconjug Chem, vol. 18, pp. 84-92, 2007). Briefly, a solution of
either [.sup.68Ga]SRV27 or [.sup.68Ga]SRV100 was added to a
presaturated solution of 1-octanol (5 mL) mixed with phosphate
buffered saline (PBS) (5 mL) in a 15 mL centrifuge tube. After
vigorously shaking the mixture, it was centrifuged at 3,000 rpm for
5 min. Aliquots (100 .mu.L) were removed from the two phases and
the radioactivity was measured in a .gamma.-counter, 1282
Compugamma CS (LKB, Wallac, Turku, Finland).
[0233] On analysis of the reaction mixture by HPLC, the retention
time of the radiolabeled compound was slightly longer than the
corresponding free ligand. The specific radioactivity of purified
[.sup.68Ga]SRV27 and [.sup.68Ga]SRV100 was between 3.0 and 6.0
MBq/nmol.
[0234] The log P.sub.octanol/water values for [.sup.68Ga]SRV27 and
[.sup.68Ga]SRV100 were approximately 3.9 as determined by the
shake-flask method (Antunes et al., Bioconjug Chem, vol. 18, pp.
84-92, 2007). However, using an HPLC method, we found that the HPLC
retention times for SRV100 (28 min) and [.sup.69/71Ga]SRV100 (32
min) were longer than for SRV27 (19 min) and [.sup.69/71Ga]SRV27
(24 min) It is evident that SRV100 and the corresponding gallium
compound were more lipophilic than SRV27 and its gallium-labeled
analog, which is reasonable in light of the presence of two
phenylalanine residues in the long linker of SRV100, while SRV27
has only one lysine residue protected as the benzyl ester.
Cell Binding Assay
[0235] Ki values for SRV27, [.sup.69/71Ga]SRV27, SRV100 and
[.sup.69/71Ga]SRV100 were determined using a competitive N-acetyl
aspartyl glutamate (NAAG) fluorescence cell binding assay adapted
from the literature (Kozikowski et al., J Med Chem, vol. 47, pp.
1729-1738, 2004). All compounds were found to be strong inhibitors
of PSMA. Compounds SRV27 and [.sup.69/71Ga]SRV27 had inhibitory
capacities of 2.9 nM and 29 nM, respectively. For SRV100 and
[.sup.69/71Ga]SRV100, values were 1.23 nM and 0.44 nM,
respectively.
Ex Vivo Biodistribution
[0236] PSMA+ PC-3 PIP and PSMA- PC-3 flu xenograft-bearing SCID
mice were injected via the tail vein with 30 .mu.Ci (1.1 MBq) of
[.sup.68Ga]SRV27 or [.sup.68Ga]SRV100. In case each four mice were
sacrificed by cervical dislocation at 30, 60, 120, 180 min p.i. For
[.sup.68Ga]SRV27 and at 5, 60, 120, 180 min p.i. for
[.sup.68Ga]SRV100. The heart, lungs, liver, stomach, pancreas,
spleen, fat, kidney, muscle, small and large intestines, urinary
bladder, and PC-3 PIP and flu tumors were quickly removed. A 0.1 mL
sample of blood was also collected. Each organ was weighed, and the
tissue radioactivity was measured with an automated gamma counter
(1282 Compugamma CS, Pharmacia/LKB Nuclear, Inc., Gaithersburg,
Md.). The % ID/g was calculated by comparison with samples of a
standard dilution of the initial dose. All measurements were
corrected for decay.
[0237] Compound [.sup.68Ga]SRV27 was assessed for its
pharmacokinetics ex vivo in severe-combined immunodeficient (SCID)
mice bearing both PSMA+ PC3-PIP and PSMA- PC3-flu xenografts (Chang
et al., Cancer Res, vol. 59, pp. 3192-3198, 1999). Table 1 shows
the percent injected dose per gram (% ID/g) of radiotracer in
selected organs for [.sup.68Ga]SRV27.
TABLE-US-00003 TABLE 1 Ex vivo tissue biodistribution of
[.sup.68Ga]SRV27 Tissue 30 min 60 min 120 min 180 min blood 2.20
.+-. 0.90 1.93 .+-. 0.70 0.80 .+-. 0.30 0.62 .+-. 0.34 heart 0.70
.+-. 0.13 0.50 .+-. 0.08 0.21 .+-. 0.08 0.20 .+-. 0.02 liver 0.84
.+-. 0.24 0.83 .+-. 0.10 0.42 .+-. .0.07 0.50 .+-. 0.03 stomach
0.73 .+-. 0.13 0.75 .+-. 0.32 0.24 .+-. 0.07 0.24 .+-. 0.05 spleen
4.90 .+-. 1.10 3.35 .+-. 1.20 0.43 .+-. 0.19 0.32 .+-. 0.13 kidney
97.19 .+-. 16.07 64.68 .+-. 4.10 5.35 .+-. 2.12 2.13 .+-. 0.11
muscle 0.46 .+-. 0.16 0.25 .+-. 0.07 0.08 .+-. 0.04 0.05 .+-. 0.01
small 0.79 .+-. 0.12 0.70 .+-. 0.34 0.26 .+-. 0.11 0.34 .+-. 0.20
intestine large 0.77 .+-. 0.14 0.95 .+-. 0.53 0.34 .+-. 0.10 0.46
.+-. 0.10 intestine bladder 8.96 .+-. 5.30 25.29 .+-. 8.63 2.70
.+-. 4.02 5.39 .+-. 2.98 PC-3 PIP 3.78 .+-. 0.90 3.32 .+-. 0.33
1.31 .+-. 0.06 1.10 .+-. 0.19 PC-3 flu 0.82 .+-. 0.20 0.67 .+-.
0.08 0.41 .+-. 0.09 0.39 .+-. 0.02 PIP:flu 4.61 4.93 3.24 2.77
PIP:muscle 8.30 13.13 17.40 20.37 flu:muscle 1.80 2.67 5.37
7.34
[0238] Compound [.sup.68Ga]SRV27 showed clear PSMA-dependent
binding in PSMA+PC3 PIP xenografts, reaching a maximum uptake of
3.78.+-.0.90 (SEM) % ID/g at 30 min post-injection (p.i.). The
blood, spleen and kidney displayed highest uptake at 30 min. By 60
min, the urinary bladder showed highest uptake, however, this
uptake represents excretion at all time points. The high values
noted in kidney are partially due to high expression of PSMA within
proximal renal tubules (Silver et al., Clin Cancer Res, vol. 3, pp.
81-85, 197; Slusher et al., J Comp Neurol, vol. 315, pp. 271-229,
1992). Rapid clearance from the kidneys was demonstrated,
decreasing from 97.19.+-.16.07% ID/g at 30 min to 2.31.+-.0.11%
ID/g at 3 h. The radioactivity in the PSMA+ PIP tumor cleared more
slowly, from its aforementioned value at 30 min to 1.08.+-.0.19%
ID/g at 3 h.
[0239] Compound [.sup.68Ga]SRV100 was also investigated for its
pharmacokinetic characteristics in tumor bearing mice at 5 min, 1
h, 2 h and 3 h p.i. Table 2 shows the % ID/g of radiotracer in
selected organs for [.sup.68Ga]SRV100.
TABLE-US-00004 TABLE 2 Ex vivo tissue biodistribution of
[.sup.68Ga]SRV100 Tissue 5 min 60 min 120 min 180 min blood 6.28
.+-. 0.08 0 .41 .+-. 0.05 0.15 .+-. 0.07 0.13 .+-. 0.01 heart 2.01
.+-. 0.24 0.19 .+-. 0.07 0.05 .+-. 0.03 0.03 .+-. 0.01 lung 4.59
.+-. 0.68 0.74 .+-. 0.54 0.20 .+-. 0.05 0.14 .+-. 0.03 liver 1.57
.+-. 0.16 0.24 .+-. 0.09 0.19 .+-. 0.03 0.14 .+-. 0.02 stomach 2.38
.+-. 0.35 0.38 .+-. 0.16 0.18 .+-. 0.02 0.04 .+-. 0.02 pancreas
1.52 .+-. 0.19 0.25 .+-. 0.14 0.08 .+-. 0.03 0.04 .+-. 0.02 spleen
5.17 .+-. 2.22 2.43 .+-. 1.07 0.78 .+-. 0.15 0.34 .+-. 0.09 fat
1.03 .+-. 0.02 0.40 .+-. 0.04 0.08 .+-. 0.02 0.02 .+-. 0.01 kidney
64.75 .+-. 12.00 26.57 .+-. 10.93 12.25 .+-. 1.79 10.04 .+-. 1.22
muscle 1.58 .+-. 0.33 0.12 .+-. 0.08 0.03 .+-. 0.02 0.00 .+-. 0.01
small intestine 2.04 .+-. 0.25 0.23 .+-. 0.05 0.09 .+-. 0.04 0.06
.+-. 0.03 large intestine 2.02 .+-. 0.49 0.50 .+-. 0.70 0.12 .+-.
0.03 0.12 .+-. 0.03 bladder 5.97 .+-. 1.50 7.65 .+-. 3.34 1.41 .+-.
1.17 0.75 .+-. 0.54 PC-3 PIP 6.61 .+-. 0.55 2.80 .+-. 1.32 3.29
.+-. 0.77 1.80 .+-. 0.16 PC-3 flu 2.63 .+-. 0.51 0.16 .+-. 0.08
0.18 .+-. 0.03 0.12 .+-. 0.03 PIP:flu 2.50 17.30 18.28 15.20
Pip:muscle 4.17 23.27 122.13 436.29 flu:muscle 1.67 1.34 6.68
28.70
[0240] As for [.sup.68Ga]SRV27, [.sup.68Ga]SRV100 showed
PSMA-dependent tumor uptake. After a peak, flow-related, uptake at
5 min p.i. of 6.61.+-.0.55%, [.sup.68Ga]SRV100 demonstrated a 2 h
tumor uptake value of 3.29.+-.0.77%, which dropped to 1.80.+-.0.16%
at 3 h. Uptake in blood was high at 5 min and rapidly washed out
within 1 h. Non-target organs such as kidney, spleen and lung
showed high uptake at 5 min and rapidly washed out with time. With
the exception of the kidneys and spleen, clearance from blood and
normal organs was faster for [.sup.68Ga]SRV100 than for
[.sup.68Ga]SRV27. Again, high kidney uptake is associated with high
expression of PSMA within proximal renal tubules (Silver et al.,
Clin Cancer Res, vol. 3, pp. 81-85, 197; Slusher et al., J Comp
Neurol, vol. 315, pp. 271-229, 1992). Similar to [.sup.68Ga]SRV27,
[.sup.68Ga]SRV100 demonstrated faster clearance of radioactivity
from kidney than from the PSMA+ tumor. However, the rate of
clearance from kidney for [.sup.68Ga]SRV100 was much slower than
for [.sup.68Ga]SRV27, i.e., 65.+-.12% at 5 min p.i. and
10.04.+-.1.22% at 3 h.
Small Animal PET Imaging
[0241] A single SCID mouse implanted with a PSMA+ LNCaP xenograft
was injected intravenously with 0.2 mCi (7.4 MBq) of
[.sup.68Ga]SRV27 in 200 .mu.L 0.9% NaCl. At 0.5 h p.i., the mouse
was anesthetized with 3% isoflurane in oxygen for induction and
maintained under 1.5% isoflurane in oxygen at a flow rate of 0.8
L/min. The mouse was positioned in the prone position on the gantry
of a GE eXplore VISTA small animal PET scanner (GE Healthcare,
Milwaukee, Wis.). Image acquisition was performed using the
following protocol: The images were acquired as a pseudodynamic
scan, i.e., a sequence of successive whole-body images were
acquired in three bed positions for a total of 120 min. The dwell
time at each position was 5 min, such that a given bed position (or
mouse organ) was revisited every 15 min. An energy window of
250-700 keV was used. Images were reconstructed using the
FORE/2D-OSEM method (two iterations, 16 subsets) and included
correction for radioactive decay, scanner dead time, and scattered
radiation. After PET imaging, the mobile mouse holder was placed on
the gantry of an X-SPECT (Gamma Medica Ideas, Northridge, Calif.)
small animal imaging device to acquire the corresponding CT.
Animals were scanned over a 4.6 cm field-of-view using a 600 nA, 50
kV beam. The PET and CT data were then co-registered using Amira
5.2.0 software (Visage Imaging Inc., Carlsbad, Calif.).
[0242] Imaging studies of [.sup.68Ga]SRV100 and blocking studies of
[.sup.68Ga]SRV27 were carried out on PSMA+ PC-3 PIP and PSMA- PC-3
flu xenograft-bearing SCID mice or PSMA+PC-3 PIP (25.9 MBq in 100
.mu.l, NaCl) xenograft-bearing SCID mice. At 30 min, 1 h and 2 h
p.i. the mice were anesthetized and whole-body images were obtained
using the PET scanner as mentioned above, in two bed positions, 15
min at each position for a total of 30 min using the same energy
window. Images were reconstructed and co-registered with the
corresponding CT images using the same methods as described
above.
[0243] FIGS. 2 and 3A-3B demonstrate the high target selectivity of
[.sup.68Ga]SRV27 and [.sup.68Ga]SRV100 by delineating the PSMA+
tumors. Although a PSMA- control tumor was not included in FIG. 2,
a separate blocking study was performed for [.sup.68Ga]SRV27, in
which an animal pre-treated with 50 mg/kg of the known PSMA-binding
ligand, 2-(phosphonomethyl)pentanedioic acid (2-PMPA) (Jackson et
al., J Med Chem, vol. 39, pp. 619-622, 1996), did not demonstrate
PSMA+ tumor uptake, attesting to the binding specificity of this
compound. The more quantitative, ex vivo studies of
[.sup.68Ga]SRV27 and [.sup.68Ga]SRV100 further supported high PSMA
target specificity, demonstrating target-to-nontarget (PIP/flu)
ratios of approximately 5 and 18 at 1 h and 2 h p.i., respectively.
One hour and 2 h PSMA+ tumor uptake values for these compounds,
3.32.+-.0.33% and 3.29.+-.0.77%, respectively, for [.sup.68Ga]SRV27
and [.sup.68Ga]SRV100, are comparable to other radiometallated PSMA
inhibitors (Banerjee et al., J Med Chem, vol. 51, pp. 4504-4517,
2008). As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3A-3B those values are sufficient
for clear tumor imaging. Notably, PIP tumors contain about one
order of magnitude lower PSMA than LNCaP tumors (data not shown),
which are often employed to assess for binding specificity of
PSMA-targeting agents. PIP/flu is the preferred comparison as both
are derived from PC-3 cells, providing a more controlled study.
[0244] Intense radiotracer uptake was seen only in the kidneys and
tumor for both [.sup.68Ga]SRV27 (FIG. 2) and [.sup.68Ga]SRV100
(FIGS. 3A-3B). As noted above for the ex vivo study, the intense
renal uptake was partially due to specific binding of the
radiotracer to proximal renal tubules (Silver et al., Clin Cancer
Res, vol. 3, pp. 81-85, 197; Slusher et al., J Comp Neurol, vol.
315, pp. 271-229, 1992) as well as to excretion of this hydrophilic
compound. Apart from the kidneys, only the PSMA+ tumor demonstrated
significant radiotracer uptake.
DISCUSSION
[0245] Because of its demonstrated clinical utility and the
appearance of dual modality (PET/computed tomography (CT)) systems,
clinical PET imaging has been accelerating worldwide and may soon
become the dominant technique in nuclear medicine. PET isotopes
tend to be short-lived and enable synthesis of "physiologic"
radiotracers, namely, those that incorporate .sup.15O, .sup.13N or
.sup.11C, enabling precise conformity to the tracer principle.
Being essentially isosteric to H, .sup.18F enables nearly
tracer-level studies, with important caveats, particularly for
[.sup.18F]fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG), which is by far the most
commonly used radiopharmaceutical for PET. But, in part because FDG
does not accumulate well within many tumor types, including
prostate cancer, there has been a re-emergence in the development
of radiometallated peptides, often employing .sup.99mTc, that
target G-protein coupled receptors. Gallium-68 provides a link
between PET and single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT)
since metal chelating methodology needed for .sup.99mTc can also be
applied to .sup.68Ga. A further analogy is the convenience of use
of a .sup.68Ge/.sup.68Ga generator (PET), as with
.sup.99Mo/.sup.99mTc (SPECT), to provide readily available isotope,
with no need for an in-house cyclotron. Although .sup.18F-labeled,
low molecular weight PSMA inhibitors have shown promise in
preclinical imaging studies (Mease et al., Clin Cancer Res, vol.
14, pp. 3036-3043, 2008; Lapi et al., J Nucl Med, vol. 50, pp.
2042-2048, 2009), the availability of generator-produced .sup.68Ga
and the extension to PET from our published .sup.99mTc-labeled
series of PSMA-binding radiometallated imaging agents (Banerjee et
al., J Med Chem, vol. 51, pp. 4504-4517, 2008) provided the
rationale for this study.
Example 3
[0246] Compound SRV27 and SRV100 were prepared as described in
Example 2. In-111 labeling was generally performed by treatment of
SRV27 or SRV100 or SRV73 with .sup.111InCl.sub.3, in 200 mM aqueous
NaOAc .about.60.degree. C. for 30 minutes. Specifically, for SRV27,
60 IA of SRV27 (2 mg/mL, sodium acetate) was combined with 100
.mu.l sodium acetate and 3mCi .sup.111InCl.sub.3 in a 1.5 ml
appendorf tube and left at for 60.degree. C. for 30 min. The
radiolabled product was diluted with 800 .mu.l water and purified
by HPLC. Radiolabeling yield is 1.7 mCi (.about.57%) and
radiochemical purity was >99.9%
SRV73
[0247] Compound SRV73 was prepared by the method outlined in the
scheme below. Compound SRV73 is a bimodal compound having a
fluorescent dye moiety and a metal chelating moiety
##STR00081##
Small Animal PET Imaging
[0248] SPECT imaging experiments for [.sup.111In]SRV27,
[.sup.111In]SRV100 and [.sup.111In]SRV73 were performed using the
same general procedure described for [.sup.99mTc]SRV32 described in
Example 1.
[0249] SPECT-CT imaging experiment of compound [.sup.111In]SRV27
(FIGS. 5A-5C) illustrated clear PSMA-dependent binding in PSMA+ PC3
PIP xenografts within 1 h post injection. The high values noted in
kidney are partially due to high expression of PSMA within proximal
renal tubules (Silver et al., Clin Cancer Res, vol. 3, pp. 81-85,
197; Slusher et al., J Comp Neurol, vol. 315, pp. 271-229, 1992).
Rapid clearance from the kidneys was observed while the activity
retained in PSMA+ tumor even after four days post injection.
[0250] SPECT-CT imaging experiment of compound [.sup.111In]SRV100
(FIGS. 6A-6D) demonstrated similar clear PSMA-dependent binding in
PSMA+ PC3 PIP xenografts within 2 h post injection. The high values
noted in kidney are partially due to high expression of PSMA within
proximal renal tubules (Silver et al., Clin Cancer Res, vol. 3, pp.
81-85, 197; Slusher et al., J Comp Neurol, vol. 315, pp. 271-229,
1992). Rapid clearance from the kidneys was observed while the
activity retained in PSMA+ tumor even after four days post
injection. The longer tumor activity retention for
[.sup.111In]SRV27 and [.sup.111In]SRV100 might be useful
Y-90/Lu-177 based radiotherapeutic application.
[0251] FIG. 7 demonstrates clear tumor uptake for [.sup.111In]SRV73
at 7 h post injection. This is significant since after attaching a
bulky fluorescent dye, rhodamine, the compound retains its PSMA
binding activity. This is an example of dual modality application
for this class of compounds.
Example 4
SRVI34
2-{3-[1-Carboxy-5-(7-{5-carboxy-5-[3-phenyl-2-(3-phenyl-2-{2-[2-(2-trityls-
ulfanyl-acetylamino)-acetylamino]-acetylamino}-propionylamino)-propionylam-
ino]-pentylcarbamoyl}-heptanoylamino)-pentyl]-ureido}-pentanedioic
acid (SRVI34)
[0252] SRVI34 was prepared according to the scheme below.
Lys(Boc)-Wang resin (100 mg, 0.43 mM) was allowed to swell with
CH.sub.2Cl.sub.2 (3 mL) followed by DMF (3 mL). A solution of 20%
piperidine in DMF (3.times.3 mL) was added to the resin that was
then shaken gently on a mechanical shaker for 30 min at ambient
temperature. The resin was washed with DMF (3.times.3 mL) and
CH.sub.2Cl.sub.2 (3.times.3 mL). Formation of free amine was
assessed by the Kaiser test. After swelling the resin in DMF, a
solution of Fmoc-Phe-OH (3 eq), HBTU (3 eq), HOBt (3 eq), and DIPEA
(4.0 eq) in DMF was added and gently shaken for 2 h. The resin was
then washed with DMF (3.times.3 mL) and CH.sub.2Cl.sub.2 (3.times.3
mL). The coupling efficiency was assessed by the Kaiser Test. That
aforementioned sequence was repeated for four more coupling steps
with Fmoc-Phe-OH, Fmoc-Gly-OH, Fmoc-Gly-OH and S-trityl
mercaptoacetic acid. Finally the product was cleaved from the resin
using TFA:CH.sub.2Cl.sub.2 (1:1) and concentrated under vacuum to
produce the free amine (SRVI32). The concentrated product was
purified by using a C.sub.18 SepPak Vac 2 g column. The product was
eluted with a solution 70/30 water/acetonitrile (0.1% TFA in each).
ESIMS: [M+1]+. Lyophilized SRVI32 (10 mg, 12 .mu.mol in 2 mL DMF)
was added to the urea (compound 1 described in Example 2) (20 mg,
21.4 .mu.mol in 1 mL DMF) followed by TEA (214 .mu.mol, 30 .mu.L)
and then stirred at 25.degree. C. for 16 h. The residue was washed
2.times.5 mL CH.sub.2Cl.sub.2 to remove impurities. The colorless
solid residue thus obtained was purified by a C.sub.18 SepPak Vac 2
g column using an eluent of 70/30 water/acetonitrile (0.1% TFA in
each). The product was further purified using preparative RP-HPLC
by Method 1, retention time 17 min. Yield: 30%. ESMS m/Z: 1328
[M+H].sup.+, .sup.1H NMR (D.sub.2O/CD.sub.3CN (1:1) .delta.: 7.98
(m, 5H), 7.90-7.76 (m, 18H), 7.66 (m, 2H), 5.11 (m, 1H), 4.82-4.72
(m, 3H), 4.28 (m, 2H), 4.16 (m, 2H), 3.68 (m, 5H), 3.49-3.32 (m,
2H), 3.00 (m, 2H), 2.69 (m, 4H), 2.64-1.74 (m, 26H).
##STR00082##
[0253] Radiolabeling with Tc-99m:
[0254] Radiolabeling was performed following a literature procedure
(Wang et al., Nature Protocols, vol. 1, pp. 1477-1480, 2006).
Briefly, 1 mg (75.3 .mu.mol) of compound SRVI34 was dissolved in 1
ml of 0.5 M ammonium acetate buffer at pH 8. Disodium tartarate
dihydrate was dissolved in the labelling buffer of 0.5 M ammonium
acetate (pH 8) to a concentration of 50 mg/ml. Ascorbic acid-HCl
solution was prepared by dissolving ascorbic acid in 10 mM HCl to a
concentration of 1.0 mg/ml. A solution of SRVI34 (80 .mu.l) was
combined to a solution of 45 .mu.l 0.25 M ammonium acetate, 15
.mu.l tartarate buffer, followed by 5 .mu.l of the freshly prepared
4 mg/ml SnCl.sub.2. 2H.sub.2O solution in the ascorbate-HCl
solution. The final pH will be about 8-8.5. After vortexing, was
added 20 mCi of .sup.99mTc-pertechnetate in 200 .mu.l saline and
was heated the solution at 90-100.degree. C. for 20 min. Reaction
mixture was cooled, diluted 850 .mu.l of water and purified by HPLC
using a Phenomenex C.sub.18 Luna 10.times.250 mm.sup.2 column on a
Waters 600E Delta LC system with a Waters 486 tunable absorbance
UV/Vis detector, both controlled by Empower software. HPLC solvent
system, flow rate=4 ml/min, a gradient, 0-5 min, 80/20
water/acetonitrile (0.1% TFA in each solvent), 5-25 min 40/60
water/acetonitrile (0.1% TFA in each solvent) and 25-35 min 80/20
(0.1% TFA in each solvent) was used. Two radiolabeled products were
found, called as [.sup.99mTc]SRVI34A (5.52 mCi) (retention time
17.5 min) and [.sup.99mTc]SRVI34B (6 mCi) (retention time 18.9 min)
SRVI34A and SRVI32B are diastereomers, syn and anti-isomers with
respect to the Tc.dbd.O group. Each product was neutralized with 50
.mu.l of 1 M sodium bicarbonate and evaporated to dryness under
vacuum. The obtained solid residues was dissolved in 200 .mu.l
saline and used for imaging and biodistribution studies.
Ex Vivo Biodistribution
[0255] PSMA+ PC-3 PIP and PSMA- PC-3 flu xenograft-bearing SCID
mice were injected via the tail vein with 30 .mu.Ci
[.sup.99mTc]SRVI34B. Four mice were sacrificed by cervical
dislocation at 30, 60, 120, and 300 min p.i. The heart, lungs,
liver, stomach, pancreas, spleen, fat, kidney, muscle, small and
large intestines, urinary bladder, and PC-3 PIP and flu tumors were
quickly removed. A 0.1 mL sample of blood was also collected. Each
organ was weighed, and the tissue radioactivity was measured with
an automated gamma counter (1282 Compugamma CS, Pharmacia/LKB
Nuclear, Inc., Gaithersburg, Md.). The % ID/g was calculated by
comparison with samples of a standard dilution of the initial dose.
All measurements were corrected for decay.
[0256] Compound [.sup.99mTc]SRVI34B was assessed for its
pharmacokinetics ex vivo in severe-combined immunodeficient (SCID)
mice bearing both PSMA+ PC3-PIP and PSMA- PC3-flu xenografts (Chang
et al., Cancer Res, vol. 59, pp. 3192-3198, 1999). Table 3 shows
the percent injected dose per gram (% ID/g) of radiotracer in
selected organs for [.sup.99mTc]SRVI34B.
TABLE-US-00005 TABLE 3 Biodistribution data for [.sup.99mTc]SRVI34B
(n = 4) 30 min 60 min 120 min 300 min Blood 1.13 .+-. 1.06 0.69
.+-. 0.08 0.27 .+-. 0.09 0.23 .+-. 0.00 heart 1.11 .+-. 0.06 0.70
.+-. 0.16 0.61 .+-. 0.07 0.46 .+-. 0.05 lung 4.08 .+-. 0.31 4.84
.+-. 1.26 4.02 .+-. 0.73 2.79 .+-. 0.74 liver 1.55 .+-. 0.23 0.92
.+-. 0.37 0.50 .+-. 0.085 0.24 .+-. 0.09 stomach 0.79 .+-. 0.23
0.77 .+-. 0.17 0.54 .+-. 12 0.27 .+-. 0.08 pancreas 1.72 .+-. 0.74
1.42 .+-. 0.45 1.02 .+-. 0.29 0.94 .+-. 0.46 spleen 56.44 .+-.
16.49 64.24 .+-. 13.29 58.27 .+-. 18.26 24.49 .+-. 3.63 fat 2.18037
.+-. 0.50 2.13 .+-. 0.58 1.82 .+-. 0.37 0.99 .+-. 0.03 kidney 62.45
.+-. 1.63 96.38 .+-. 22.74 104.84 .+-. 19.03 116.14 .+-. 2.71
muscle 1.20 .+-. 0.12 0.74 .+-. 0.04 1.29 .+-. 1.31 0.45 .+-. 0.31
small intestine 1.03 .+-. 0.40 1.43 .+-. 0.66 0.79 .+-. 0.33 0.23
.+-. 0.12 large intestine 0.61 .+-. 0.03 0.63 .+-. 0.38 0.35 .+-.
0.12 1.30 .+-. 0.08 bladder 1.28 .+-. 0.25 2.07 .+-. 0.96 0.87 .+-.
0.33 0.51 .+-. 0.00 PC-3 PIP 6.11 .+-. 0.94 7.99 .+-. 2.26 6.96
.+-. 1.13 4.81 .+-. 0.66 PC-3 flu 0.98 .+-. 0.38 0.76 .+-. 0.51
0.50 .+-. 0.28 0.22 .+-. 0.11 PIP:flu 6.28 10.56 14.05 22.18
Small Animal SPECT-CT Imaging
[0257] Imaging experiments for [.sup.99mTc]SRVI34A and
[.sup.99mTc]SRVI34B were done following the same procedures as was
done for [.sup.99mTc]SRV32 (Example 1).
[0258] FIGS. 13A-13C, 14A-14B, 15A-15C, and 16A-16C demonstrate the
high target selectivity of [.sup.99mTc]SRVI34B by delineating the
PSMA+ tumors. The compound [.sup.99mTc]SRVI34B exhibited high
uptake in PSMA+ tumor and no uptake in PSMA- tumor. The tumor
uptake remains high 4.88% ID/g even at 5 hr post inject (p.i.).
However this compound showed very high kidney uptake 116% ID/g even
at 5 hr p.i. In addition this compound showed high spleen uptake
24.5% ID/g at 5 hr p.i.
Example 5
General
[0259] All reagents and solvents were purchased from either
Sigma-Aldrich (Milwaukee, Wis.) or Fisher Scientific (Pittsburgh,
Pa.).
2-{3-[5-[7-(2,5-Dioxo-pyrrolidin-1-yloxycarbonyl)-heptanoylamino]-1-(4-me-
thoxy-benzyloxycarbonyl)-pentyl]-ureido}-pentanedioic acid
bis-(4-methoxy-benzyl) ester (1) was prepared according to
(Banerjee et al., J. Med. Chem., vol. 51, pp. 4504-4517, 2008).
H-Lys(Boc)-OBu.HCl was purchased from Chem-Impex International
(Wood Dale, Ill.). The N-hydroxysuccinimide (NHS) ester of IRDye
800CW was purchased from LI-COR Biosciences (Lincoln, Nebr.).
.sup.1H NMR spectra were obtained on a Bruker Avance 400 mHz
Spectrometer. ESI mass spectra were obtained on a Bruker Esquire
3000 plus system. Purification by high-performance liquid
chromatography (HPLC) was performed on a Varian Prostar System
(Varian Medical Systems, Palo Alto, Calif.).
YC-27
[0260] Compound YC-27 was prepared according the scheme shown
below.
##STR00083##
Trifluoroacetate salt of
2-(3-{5-[7-(5-amino-1-carboxy-pentylcarbamoyl)-heptanoylamino]-1-carboxy--
pentyl}-ureido)-pentanedioic acid (YC-VIII-24)
[0261] To a solution of 1 (0.065 g, 0.020 mmol) in CH.sub.2Cl.sub.2
(2 mL) was added triethylamine (0.040 mL, 0.285 mmol), followed by
H-Lys(Boc)-OBu-HCl (0.028 g, 0.083 mmol). After stirring for 2 h at
room temperature, the solvent was evaporated on a rotary
evaporator. A solution of TFA/CH.sub.2Cl.sub.2 1:1 (2 mL) was then
added to the residue and stirred for 1 h at room temperature. The
crude material was purified by HPLC (column, Econosphere C18, 1011,
250.times.10 mm; retention time, 15 min; mobile phase, A=0.1% TFA
in H.sub.2O, B=0.1% TFA in CH.sub.3CN; gradient, 0 min=5% B, 25
min=25% B; flow rate, 4 mL/min) to afford 0.032 g (66%) of
YC-VIII-24. .sup.1H NMR (400 MHz, D.sub.2O) .delta.4.24-4.28 (m,
1H), 4.17-4.20 (m, 1H), 4.08-4.12 (m, 1H), 3.08-3.12 (m, 2H),
2.88-2.92 (m, 2H), 2.41-2.44 (m, 2H), 2.19-2.21 (m, 2H), 2.05-2.16
(m, 3H), 1.57-1.93 (m, 7H), 1.21-1.50 (m, 10H), 1.21 (m, 4H).
ESI-Mass calcd for C.sub.26H.sub.46N.sub.5O.sub.11 [M].sup.+ 604.3.
found 604.0.
[0262] YC-27.
[0263] To a solution of YC-VIII-24 (0.3 mg, 0.43 .mu.mol) in DMSO
(0.1 mL) was added N,N-diisopropylethylamine (0.002 mL, 11.4
.mu.mol), followed by the NHS ester of IRDye 800CW (0.3 mg, 0.26
.mu.mol). After stirring for YC-VIII-24 for 2 h at room
temperature, the reaction mixture was purified by HPLC (column,
Econosphere C18 5.mu., 150.times.4.6 mm; retention time, 22 min,
mobile phase, A=0.1% TFA in H.sub.2O, B=0.1% TFA in CH.sub.3CN;
gradient, 0 min=0% B, 5 min=0% B, 45 min=100% B; flow rate, 1
mL/min) to afford 0.3 mg (72%) of YC-27. ESI-Mass calcd for
C.sub.22H.sub.92N.sub.2O.sub.25S.sub.4 [M].sup.+ 1587.5. found
794.3 [M+H].sup.2+, 1587.6 [M].sup.+.
Synthesis of Precursor YC-VI-54
##STR00084##
[0265] To a solution of Lys-Urea-Glu (0.103 g, 0.121 mmol, Banerjee
et al J. Med. Chem., vol. 51, pp. 4507-4517, 2008) in DMF (2 mL)
was added Boc-NH-PEG-COOH (0.060 g, 0.135 mmol) and TBTU (0.040 g,
0.125 mmol), followed by N,N'-diisopropylethylamine (0.042 mL,
0.241 mmol). After stirring overnight at room temperature, the
solvent was evaporated on a rotary evaporator. The crude material
was purified by a silica column using methanol/methylene chloride
(5:95) to afford 0.101 g (0.109 mmol, 90%) of YC-VI-53, which was
dissolved in a solution of 3% anisole in TFA (1 mL). The mixture
was reacted at room temperature for 10 min, then concentrated on a
rotary evaporator. The crude material was purified by HPLC
(Econosphere C18 10.mu., 250.times.10 mm, H.sub.2O/CH.sub.3CN/TFA
(92/8/0.1), 4 mL/min, Compound YC-VI-54 eluting at 11 min) to
afford 0.035 g (57%) of compound YC-VI-54. .sup.1H NMR (400 MHz,
D.sub.2O) .delta.4.17-4.21 (m, 1H), 4.10-4.13 (m, 1H), 4.00 (s,
2H), 3.67-3.71 (m, 6H), 3.14-3.20 (m, 4H), 2.43-2.46 (m, 2H),
2.08-2.13 (m, 1H), 1.87-1.93 (m, 1H), 1.76-1.79 (m, 1H), 1.63-1.67
(m, 1H), 1.45-1.50 (m, 2H), 1.33-1.40 (m, 2H). ESI-Mass calcd for
C.sub.18H.sub.33N.sub.4O.sub.10 [M].sup.+ 465.2. found 465.2.
YC-VIII-11
##STR00085##
[0267] To a solution of compound YC-VI-54 (0.3 mg, 53 .mu.mol) in
DMSO (0.05 mL) was added N,N-diisopropylethylamine (0.002 mL, 11.4
.mu.mol), followed by NHS ester of IRDye 800RS (0.2 mg, 0.21
.mu.mol). After 2 hour at room temperature, the reaction mixture
was purified by HPLC (column, Econosphere C18 5.mu., 150.times.4.6
mm; retention time, 28 min; mobile phase, A=0.1% TFA in H.sub.2O,
B=0.1% TFA in CH.sub.3CN; gradient, 0 mins=0% B, 5 mins=0% B, 45
mins=100% B; flow rate, 1 mL/min) to afford 0.2 mg (75%) of
compound YC-VIII-11. ESI-Mass calcd for
C.sub.64H.sub.84N.sub.6O.sub.18S.sub.2 [M].sup.+ 1288.5. found
1288.9.
YC-VIII-12
##STR00086##
[0269] To a solution of compound YC-VI-54 (0.3 mg, 53 .mu.mol) in
DMSO (0.05 mL) was added N,N-diisopropylethylamine (0.002 mL, 11.4
.mu.mol), followed by NHS ester of IRDye800CW (0.2 mg, 0.17
.mu.mol). After 2 hour at room temperature, the reaction mixture
was purified by HPLC (column, Econosphere C18 5.mu., 150.times.4.6
mm; retention time, 22 min; mobile phase, A=0.1% TFA in H.sub.2O,
B=0.1% TFA in CH.sub.3CN; gradient, 0 mins=0% B, 5 mins=0% B, 45
mins=100% B; flow rate, 1 mL/min) to afford 0.2 mg (80%) of
compound YC-VIII-12. ESI-Mass calcd for
C.sub.64H.sub.84N.sub.6O.sub.24S.sub.4 [M].sup.+ 1448.4. found
1448.7.
YC-VIII-28
##STR00087##
[0271] To a solution of YC-VIII-24 (prepared as described
previously for YC-27) (0.3 mg, 0.42 .mu.mol) in DMSO (0.1 mL) was
added N,N-diisopropylethylamine (0.002 mL, 11.5 mol), followed by
NHS ester of IRDye 800RS (0.3 mg, 0.31 .mu.mol). After 2 hour at
room temperature, the reaction mixture was purified by HPLC
(column, Econosphere C18 5.mu., 150.times.4.6 mm; retention time,
27 min; mobile phase, A=0.1% TFA in H.sub.2O, B=0.1% TFA in
CH.sub.3CN; gradient, 0 mins=0% B, 5 mins=0% B, 45 mins=100% B;
flow rate, 1 mL/min) to afford 0.3 mg (67%) of compound YC-VIII-28.
ESI-Mass calcd for C.sub.72H.sub.97N.sub.7O.sub.19S.sub.2 [M].sup.+
1427.6. found 714.4 [M+H].sup.2+, 1427.8 [M].sup.+.
YC-VIII-30
##STR00088##
[0273] To a solution of YC-VIII-24 (0.5 mg, 0.70 .mu.mol) in DMSO
(0.1 mL) was added N,N-diisopropylethylamine (0.005 mL, 28.7
.mu.mol), followed by NHS ester of BODIPY 650/665-X (0.3 mg, 0.47
.mu.mol). After 2 hour at room temperature, the reaction mixture
was purified by HPLC (column, Econosphere C18 5.mu., 150.times.4.6
mm; retention time, 28 min; mobile phase, A=0.1% TFA in H.sub.2O,
B=0.1% TFA in CH.sub.3CN; gradient, 0 mins=0% B, 5 mins=0% B, 45
mins=100% B; flow rate, 1 mL/min) to afford 0.4 mg (75%) of
compound YC-VIII-30. ESI-Mass calcd for
C.sub.55H.sub.73BF.sub.2N.sub.9O.sub.14 [M+H].sup.+ 1132.5. found
1132.0.
YC-VIII-31
##STR00089##
[0275] To a solution of YC-VI-54 (0.5 mg, 0.70 .mu.mol) in DMSO
(0.1 mL) was added N,N-diisopropylethylamine (0.005 mL, 28.7
.mu.mol), followed by NHS ester of BODIPY 650/665-X (0.3 mg, 0.47
.mu.mol). After 2 hour at room temperature, the reaction mixture
was purified by HPLC (column, Econosphere C18 5.mu., 150.times.4.6
mm; retention time, 29 min; mobile phase, A=0.1% TFA in H.sub.2O,
B=0.1% TFA in CH.sub.3CN; gradient, 0 mins=0% B, 5 mins=0% B, 45
mins=100% B; flow rate, 1 mL/min) to afford 0.4 mg (86%) of
compound YC-VIII-31. ESI-Mass calcd for
C.sub.47H.sub.59BF.sub.2N.sub.8O.sub.13 [M].sup.+ 992.4. found
992.9.
YC-VIII-41
##STR00090##
[0277] To a solution of Lys-Urea-Glu (4.0 mg, 9.6 .mu.mol) in DMF
(0.5 mL) was added triethylamine (0.01 mL, 71.7 .mu.mol), followed
by Marina Blue-NHS ester (1.8 mg, 4.9 .mu.mol). After 2 hour at
room temperature, the reaction mixture was purified by HPLC
(column, Econosphere C18 10.mu., 250.times.10 mm; retention time,
14 min; mobile phase, H.sub.2O/CH.sub.3CN/TFA=85/15/0.1; flow rate,
4 mL/min) to afford 2.5 mg (89%) of compound YC-VIII-41. .sup.1H
NMR (400 MHz, D.sub.2O) .delta. 7.40 (d, J=11.6 Hz, 1H), 4.23-4.31
(m, 1H), 4.15-4.19 (m, 1H), 3.64 (s, 2H), 3.19-3.23 (m, 2H),
2.49-2.53 (m, 2H), 2.39 (s, 3H), 2.06-2.17 (m, 1H), 1.95-1.99 (m,
1H), 1.83-1.90 (m, 1H), 1.72-1.80 (m, 1H), 1.52-1.55 (m, 2H),
1.40-1.45 (m, 2H). ESI-Mass calcd for
C.sub.24H.sub.28F.sub.2N.sub.3O.sub.11 [M+H].sup.+ 572.2. found
571.8.
YC-VIII-52
##STR00091##
[0279] To a solution of Lys-Urea-Glu (4.0 mg, 9.6 .mu.mol) in DMSO
(0.5 mL) was added N,N-diisopropylethylamine (0.020 mL, 114.8
.mu.mol), followed by
4-[2-(4-dimethylamino-phenyl)-vinyl]-1-(3-isothiocyanato-propyl)-pyridium
(3 mg, 7.4 .mu.mol). After 2 hour at room temperature, the reaction
mixture was purified by HPLC (column, Econosphere C18 10.mu.,
250.times.10 mm; retention time, 13 min; mobile phase, A=0.1% TFA
in H.sub.2O, B=0.1% TFA in CH.sub.3CN; gradient, 0 mins=10% B, 20
mins=60% B; flow rate, 4 mL/min) to afford 1.3 mg (24%) of compound
YC-VIII-52. ESI-Mass calcd for C.sub.31H.sub.43N.sub.6O.sub.7S
[M].sup.+ 643.3. found 642.9.
YC-VIII-74
##STR00092##
[0281] To a solution of YC-VIII-24 (3.0 mg, 4.2 .mu.mol) in DMSO
(0.5 mL) was added N,N-diisopropylethylamine (0.020 mL, 114.8
.mu.mol), followed by
4-[2-(4-dimethylamino-phenyl)-vinyl]-1-(3-isothiocyanato-propyl)-pyrid-
ium (2 mg, 4.9 .mu.mol). After 2 hour at room temperature, the
reaction mixture was purified by HPLC (column, Econosphere C18
5.mu., 150.times.4.6 mm; retention time, 15 min; mobile phase,
A=0.1% TFA in H.sub.2O, B=0.1% TFA in CH.sub.3CN; gradient, 0
mins=0% B, 5 mins=0% B, 45 mins=100% B; flow rate, 1 mL/min) to
afford 2 mg (47%) of compound YC-VIII-74. ESI-Mass calcd for
C.sub.45H.sub.67N.sub.8O.sub.11S [M].sup.+ 927.5. found 927.0.
YC-VIII-63
##STR00093##
[0283] To a solution of YC-VIII-24 (5.0 mg, 7.0 .mu.mol) in DMF (1
mL) was added triethylamine (0.020 mL, 143.5 .mu.mol), followed by
NHS ester of 5-(and-6)-carboxynaphthofluorescein (4.0 mg, 7.0
.mu.mol). After 1 hour at room temperature, the reaction mixture
was purified by HPLC (column, Econosphere C18 10.mu., 250.times.10
mm; retention time, minor product at 17 min, major product at 20
min); mobile phase, H.sub.2O/CH.sub.3CN/TFA=70/30/0.1; flow rate, 4
mL/min) to afford 0.3 mg of minor and 2.2 mg of major product (two
isomers of YC-VIII-63). ESI-Mass calcd for
C.sub.55H.sub.59N.sub.5O.sub.17 [M].sup.+ 1061.4. found 1061.6 (for
both minor and major product).
YC-IX-92
##STR00094##
[0285] To a solution of Lys-Urea-Glu (0.2 mg, 0.48 .mu.mol) in DMSO
(0.05 mL) was added N,N-diisopropylethylamine (0.002 mL, 11.5
.mu.mol), followed by NHS ester of IRDye 800RS (0.2 mg, 0.21
.mu.mol). After 2 hour at room temperature, the reaction mixture
was purified by HPLC (column, Econosphere C18 5.mu., 150.times.4.6
mm; retention time, 23 min; mobile phase, A=0.1% TFA in H.sub.2O,
B=0.1% TFA in CH.sub.3CN; gradient, 0 mins=0% B, 5 mins=0% B, 45
mins=100% B; flow rate, 1 mL/min) to afford 0.2 mg (84%) of
compound YC-IX-92. ESI-Mass calcd for
C.sub.58H.sub.23N.sub.5O.sub.15S.sub.2 [M].sup.+ 1143.5. found
572.5 [M+H].sup.2+, 1144.0 [M].sup.+.
Characterization--Fluorescence
[0286] Fluorescence spectra were recorded using a Varian Cary
Eclipse fluorescence spectrophotometer (Varian Medical Systems)
with excitation from a Xenon arc lamp. YC-27 was dissolved in
water. All of the fluorescence measurements were performed in
aqueous solution under ambient conditions. The fluorescence quantum
yield of YC-27 was measured using an aqueous solution of ICG
(.PHI.=0.016 (Sevick-Muraca et al., Photochem. Photobiol., vol. 66,
pp. 55-64, 1997), excitation wavelength at 775 nm) as the standard
(FIG. 8). The fluorescence intensity data were collected in the
spectral region 780 900 nm over which quantum yield was integrated.
Time-resolved intensity decays were recorded using a PicoQuant
Fluotime 100 time-correlated single-photon counting (TCSPC)
fluorescence lifetime spectrometer (PicoQuant, Berlin, Del.). The
excitation was obtained using a pulsed laser diode (PicoQuant
PDL800-B) with a 20 MHz repetition rate. The fluorescence intensity
decay of YC-27 was analyzed in terms of the single-exponential
decay using the PicoQuant Fluofit 4.1 software with deconvolution
of the instrument response function and nonlinear least squares
fitting. The goodness-of-fit was determined by the .chi..sup.2
value.
[0287] The electronic spectrum of YC-27 exhibited an absorbance
maximum at 774 nm with an extinction coefficient of 158,900
M.sup.-1. Upon excitation, YC-27 provided intense fluorescence with
an emission maximum at 792 nm and a fluorescence lifetime of 443
psec in aqueous solution (FIGS. 9A-9B). Using an excitation
wavelength of 775 nm, YC-27 demonstrated a fluorescence quantum
yield of 0.053 in aqueous solution relative to ICG, which
demonstrated a quantum yield of 0.016 (FIG. 8) (Sevick-Muraca et
al., Photochem. Photobiol., vol. 66, pp. 55-64, 1997), attesting to
the efficiency of this IRDye 800CW-based compound. That is
significant because ICG has been used previously for intraoperative
tumor mapping (K. Gotoh, T. Yamada, 0. Ishikawa, H. Takahashi, H.
Eguchi, M. Yano, H. Ohigashi, Y. Tomita, Y. Miyamoto, and S.
Imaoka, A novel image-guided surgery of hepatocellular carcinoma by
indocyanine green fluorescence imaging navigation. J. Surg. Oncol.,
2009).
In Vitro NAALADase Activity
[0288] PSMA inhibitory activity of YC-27 was determined using a
fluorescence-based assay according to a previously reported
procedure (Chen et al., J. Med. Chem., vol. 51, pp. 7933-7943,
2008). Briefly, lysates of LNCaP cell extracts (25 .mu.L) were
incubated with the inhibitor (12.5 .mu.L) in the presence of 4
.mu.M N-acetylaspartylglutamate (NAAG) (12.5 .mu.L) for 120 min.
The amount of glutamate released by NAAG hydrolysis was measured by
incubation with a working solution (50 .mu.L) of the Amplex Red
Glutamic Acid Kit (Molecular Probes Inc., Eugene, Oreg.) for 60
min. Fluorescence was measured with a VICTOR.sup.3V multilabel
plate reader (Perkin Elmer Inc., Waltham, Mass.) with excitation at
530 nm and emission at 560 nm. Inhibition curves were determined
using semi-log plots, and IC.sub.50 values were determined at the
concentration at which enzyme activity was inhibited by 50%. Assays
were performed in triplicate. Enzyme inhibitory constants (K,
values) were generated using the Cheng-Prusoff conversion [19].
Data analysis was performed using GraphPad Prism version 4.00 for
Windows (GraphPad Software, San Diego, Calif.).
[0289] This assay is free from the interference of IRDye 800CW
because the excitation/emission maxima of IRDye 800CW are remote
from those of resorufin (.lamda..sub.ex=563 nm, .lamda..sub.em=587
nm), which provides the fluorescent readout in the assay. The
K.sub.i value of YC-27 was 0.37 nM with 95% confidence intervals
from 0.18 nM to 0.79 nM. Under the same experimental conditions,
the K, value of the known PSMA inhibitor ZJ-43 (Zhou et al., Nat.
Rev. Drug Discov., vol. 4, pp. 1015-1026, 2005) was 2.1 nM,
indicating the high inhibitory capacity of YC-27. The inhibition
curve of YC-27, which is expressed with respect to the amount of
glutamate released from hydrolysis of NAAG, is shown in FIG.
10.
Biodistribution and Imaging
[0290] Cell Culture and Animal Models. Both PSMA-expressing (PSMA+
PC3-PIP) and non-expressing (PSMA- PC3-flu) prostate cancer cell
lines (Chang et al, Cancer Res., vol. 59, pp. 3192-3198, 1999) were
grown in RPMI 1640 medium (Invitrogen, Carlsbad, Calif.) containing
10% fetal bovine serum (FBS) (Invitrogen) and 1% Pen-Strep
(Biofluids, Camarillo, Calif.). All cell cultures were maintained
in 5% carbon dioxide (CO.sub.2), at 37.0.degree. C. in a humidified
incubator. Animal studies were undertaken in compliance with the
regulations of the Johns Hopkins Animal Care and Use Committee.
Six- to eight-week-old male, non-obese diabetic
(NOD)/severe-combined immunodeficient (SCID) mice (Charles River
Laboratories, Wilmington, Mass.) were implanted subcutaneously
(s.c.) with PC3-PIP and PC3-flu cells (2.times.10.sup.6 in 100
.mu.L, of Matrigel) at the forward left and right flanks,
respectively. Mice were imaged or used in ex vivo biodistribution
assays when the xenografts reached 5 to 7 mm in diameter.
[0291] In Vivo Imaging and Ex Vivo Biodistribution.
[0292] Mouse #1 was injected with 10 nmol and mouse #2 with 1 nmol
of YC-27 in 200 .mu.L of PBS intravenously (i.v.) via the lateral
tail vein. Mouse #3 was injected with 1 nmol of YC-27 and also
co-injected with 1 .mu.mol of the known PSMA inhibitor
2-{3-[1-carboxy-5-(4-iodo-benzoylamino)-pentyl]-ureido}-pentanedioic
acid (DCIBzL) (Chen et al., J. Med. Chem., vol. 51, pp. 7933-7943,
2008; Barinka et al., J. Med. Chem. vol. 51, pp. 7737-7743, 2008)
in 200 .mu.L of PBS i.v. to assess for PSMA binding specificity.
Images were acquired at an array of post-injection (p.i.) time
points starting at 10 min p.i. using a dedicated small animal
optical imaging instrument, the Pearl Imager (LI-COR Biosciences).
The Pearl Imager uses diffusive lasers optimized for IRDye 800CW.
The instrument employs a CCD camera with a field-of-view of 11.2
cm.times.8.4 cm at the surface of the imaging bed. The scan time
was less than 30 sec to complete white light, 700 nm channel and
800 nm channel image acquisition. Images are displayed using a
pseudocolor output with corresponding scale. All images were
acquired at the same parameter settings and are scaled to the same
maximum values. Imaging bed temperature was adjusted to 37.degree.
C. Animals received inhalational anesthesia (isoflurane) through a
nose cone attached to the imaging bed. Animals were sacrificed by
cervical dislocation for ex vivo imaging studies at the end of
acquisition of the in vivo images. Ex vivo images were acquired
first by midline surgical laparotomy and then again by harvesting
liver, spleen, stomach, small intestine, kidneys, urinary bladder,
PC3-PIP and PC3-flu tumors and displaying them individually on
plastic Petri dishes. Estimates of signal output were provided by
drawing three circular regions of interest within each tumor and
determining the average signal (arbitrary units)/area using the
manufacturer's software.
[0293] FIGS. 11A-11O (mouse #1) depict the pharmacokinetic behavior
of YC-27 in vivo. In this experiment 10 nmol of YC-27 was
administered intravenously and the animal was imaged repeatedly
over a three day period. Although difficult to quantify as these
are planar images, one can see clearly increased uptake in the
PSMA+ PC3-PIP tumor relative to the control (PSMA-negative) PC3-flu
tumor at 18.5 h p.i. through 70.5 h p.i. (FIGS. 11C through 11M).
Using quantitative real time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) we
measured the relative amounts of PSMA mRNA expression in extracts
of the tumors in mice #1-3, and confirmed that PC3-PIP tumors (left
flank) expressed PSMA mRNA at levels several million times higher
than PC3-flu tumors (right flank) (data not shown). Panels 11L and
11M show emission from the intact, living, unshaven animal, while
panels 11N and 11O are postmortem studies with organs exposed. Note
that in 11L one can barely discern the kidneys, a known target site
for PSMA (Tasch et al., Crit. Rev. Immunol., vol. 21, pp. 249-261,
2001; Pomper et al., Mol. Imaging, vol. 1, pp. 96-101, 2002;
Kinoshita et al., World J. Surg., vol. 30, pp. 628-636, 2006),
while the kidneys are clearly visible in 11O when exposed. A
portion of that renal light emission may be due to clearance of
this relatively hydrophilic compound. The estimated
target-to-nontarget ratio (PC-3 PIP vs. PC-3 flu light output) was
10 when comparing the tumors from panel M (70.5 h p.i.).
[0294] The experiment in FIGS. 12A-12T was performed with 10-fold
less YC-27 administered than in the previous experiment. Despite
reducing the concentration of YC-27, PSMA+ PC3-PIP tumor could be
seen clearly at one day p.i. (FIGS. 12A-12J, mouse #2, Left
Panels). DCIBzL, a known, high-affinity PSMA inhibitor, was
co-administered with YC-27 as a test of binding specificity (FIGS.
12K-12T, mouse #3, Right Panels). Nearly all of the light emission
from target tumor, as well as kidneys, was blocked, demonstrating
the specificity of this compound for PSMA in vivo. The estimated
target-to-nontarget ratio (PC-3 PIP vs. PC-3 flu light output) was
26 when comparing the tumors from panel F (20.5 h p.i.). By
administering 1 nmol to this .about.25 g mouse, we have realized
the high sensitivity of in vivo optical imaging, rivaling that of
the radiopharmaceutical-based techniques. For example, 1 nmol
converts to 1.6 .mu.g injected. If we synthesized a similar
compound labeled with .sup.18F or other radionuclide at 1,000
mCi/.mu.mol (37 GBq/.mu.mol), and administered a standard dose of
200 .mu.Ci (7.4 MBq) to a mouse, we would be injecting 0.3
.mu.g.
[0295] Interestingly, in mouse #1, which received 10 nmol of YC-27,
we observed a small degree of non-specific uptake at the 23 h time
point, manifested as uptake within PSMA- negative PC3-flu tumors.
That finding could be due to enhanced permeability and retention of
YC-27. No non-specific uptake/retention was observed at a similar,
20.5 h, time point in mouse #2, which received a 10-fold lower
dose. That finding suggests the need for further optimization of
dose and timing for in vivo applications.
DISCUSSION
[0296] A wide variety of low molecular weight PSMA-based imaging
agents have been synthesized, including those using the urea
scaffold (Banerjee et al., J. Med. Chem., vol. 51, pp. 4504-4517,
2008; Chen et al., J. Med. Chem., vol. 51, pp. 7933-7943, 2008;
Zhou et al., Nat. Rev. Drug Discov., vol. 4, pp. 1015-1026, 2005;
Pomper et al., Mol. Imaging, vol. 1, pp. 96-101, 2002; Foss et al.,
Clin. Cancer Res., vol. 11, pp. 4022-4028, 2005; Humblet et al.,
Mol. Imaging, vol. 4, 448-462, 2005; Misra et al., J. Nucl. Med.,
vol. 48, pp. 1379-1389, 2007; Mease et al., Clin. Cancer Res., vol.
14, pp. 3036-3043, 2008; Liu et al., Prostate, vol. 68, pp.
955-964, 2008; Humblet et al., J. Med. Chem., vol. 52, pp. 544-550,
2009; Kularatne et al., Mol. Pharm., vol. 6, pp. 790-800, 2009;
Hillier et al., Cancer Res., vol. 69, pp. 6932-6940, 2009). Those
compounds have primarily been radiopharmaceuticals, but optical
agents exist. In two separate studies Humblet et al. reported the
synthesis of mono- and polyvalent NIR fluorescent phosphonate
derivatives for imaging PSMA, but little accumulation in
PSMA-expressing tumors was evident in the former study (Humblet et
al., Mol. Imaging, vol. 4, pp. 448-462, 2005) while no in vivo
results were reported in the latter (Humblet et al., J. Med. Chem.,
vol. 52, pp. 544-550, 2009). Liu et al have also synthesized
fluorescent phosphonate derivatives and have demonstrated their
PSMA-binding specificity and intracellular localization in vitro
(Liu et al., Prostate, vol. 68, pp. 955-964, 2008). Recently
Kularatne et al. have synthesized fluorescent (fluorescein and
rhodamine) urea derivatives that demonstrate PSMA migration to
endosomes (Kularatne et al., Mol. Pharm., vol. 6, pp. 790-800,
2009). We arrived at YC-27 based on structure-activity
relationships developed for PSMA-binding ureas, which were focused
on improving pharmacokinetics for use in vivo by optimization of
the linker-chelate complex (Banerjee et al., J. Med. Chem., vol.
51, pp. 4504-4517, 2008). Calculated hydrophobicity values (Ghose
et al., J. Phys. Chem. A, vol. 102, pp. 3762-3772, 1998) suggest
that YC-27 should be considerably more hydrophobic (ALogD=5.96)
than radiopharmaceuticals such as [.sup.125I]DCIBzL (ALogD=1.19),
perhaps accounting for its long tumor retention, which is desirable
for an optical imaging agent intended for intraoperative use. We
confirmed greater hydrophobicity of YC-27 relative to DCIBzL
through reverse-phase HPLC (data not shown)
Example 6
Synthesis of YC-VIII-36
##STR00095##
[0298] To a solution of YC-VIII-24 (prepared as described in
Example 5) (1.5 mg, 0.21 .mu.mol) in DMF (1 mL) was added
triethylamine (0.005 mL, 35.9 .mu.mol), followed by fluorescein
isothiocyanate isomer 1 (1 mg, 2.57 .mu.mol). After 2 hours at room
temperature, the reaction mixture was purified by HPLC (column,
Econosphere C18 5.mu., 150.times.4.6 mm; retention time, 15 min;
mobile phase, H.sub.2O/CH.sub.3CN/TFA=75/25/0.1; flow rate, 1
mL/min) to afford 1.5 mg (72%) of compound YC-VIII-36. ESI-Mass
calcd for C.sub.42H.sub.52N.sub.6O.sub.16S [M+H].sup.+ 993.4. found
992.8.
Cell Labeling
[0299] PSMA positive PIPcells, and PSMA negative FLU cells were
treated with compound YC-VIII-36 (40 nM) and
4',6-diamidino-2-phenylindole (DAPI, blue). FIGS. 17A-17D show
fluorescence of cells expressing PSMA (green fluorescence, top
left). PIP and FLU cells were treated with both YC-VIII-36 and PSMA
inhibitor PMPA (5 .mu.M), showing inhibition of cellular
fluorescence by PMPA (FIGS. 17A-17D, bottom).
[0300] FIGS. 18A-18H show PC3-PIP cells treated with DAPI (blue)
and varying concentrations of YC-VIII-36 (green).
[0301] FIGS. 19A-19D show time dependent internalization of
YC-VIII-36 into PC3-PIP cells treated with YC-VIII-36 (green) and
DAPI (blue). The time dependent internalization study was done as
described (Liu et al., Prostate vol. 68, pp. 955-964, 2008) with
appropriate modifications. Briefly, PC3-PIP cells were seeded as
above. The cells were first pre-chilled by incubating with ice cold
complete growth media and then incubated with ice cold complete
growth media containing 500 nM of compound YC-VIII-36 at 40 C for 1
hr. After lhr of incubation the excess compound was removed by
washing the wells twice with ice-cold complete growth media and
then the wells were replenished with pre-warmed complete growth
media. The chamber slides containing cells were incubated for 10
min, 30 min, 60 min and 180 min at 37.degree. C. in a humidified
incubator.
In Vivo Imaging
[0302] FIGS. 20A-20F show titration and detection of varying
amounts of YC-VIII-36 injected subcutaneously into a nude mouse.
(IVIS spectrum with 10 second exposure followed by spectral
unmixing)
[0303] FIGS. 21A-21H and 22A-22E (top) show fluorescence images of
a PSMA+PC3-PIP and PSMA- PC3-flu tumor-bearing mouse injected
intravenously with exemplary compound YC-VIII-36. Compound
YC-VIII-36 (150 .mu.g) was injected into the tail vein of a nude
mouse. The excitation frequency was 465 nm with a 5 s exposure.
Fluorescence emission was measured at 500, 520, 540, and 580 nm,
followed by spectral unmixing.
[0304] FIGS. 22A-22E (bottom) show the biodistribution of compound
YC-VII-36 (150 lag) 180 minutes after injection.
FACS and Cell Sorting
[0305] Flow cytometric analysis (FCA): Confluent flasks of PC3-PIP,
PC3-flu and LNCap cells were trypsinized, washed with complete
growth media (to neutralize trypsin) and counted. Approximately 5
million of each cell type in suspension was incubated with 1 mM of
compound YC-VIII-36 for 30 min with occasional shaking at
37.degree. C. in the humidified incubator with 5% CO.sub.2. After
incubation, the cells were washed twice with ice cold KRB buffer
and fixed with 2% paraformaldehyde (ice cold). The samples were
stored on ice and protected from light until the FCA was done. FCA
was performed using a FACS Calibur flow cytometer (Becton
Dickinson, San Jose, Calif.). For data acquisition, singlets were
gated as the prominent cluster of cells identified from a plot of
side scatter (SSC) width versus forward scatter (FSC) width to
ensure that cell aggregates were excluded from analysis. 50,000
total events were counted to estimate the positively stained cells
from a plot of Fl-1 (X-axis) versus Fl-2 (Y-axis). All data were
analyzed using CellQuest version 3.3 software.
[0306] Flow sorting: PC3-PIP cells were labeled with 1 mM of
compound YC-VIII-36 for 30 min at 37.degree. C. in the humidified
incubator with 5% CO.sub.2. Cells were washed twice with ice cold
KRB buffer and stored on ice. Flow sorting was performed using FACS
Aria system (Becton Dickinson, San Jose, Calif.) within 10-15
minutes after completion of last wash. Both the stained (positive)
and also the unstained (negative) subpopulations were collected in
sterile tubes containing 3 ml of complete growth media. Following
sorting, cells were centrifuged, resuspended in warm complete
growth media, transferred to tissue culture flasks and incubated at
37.degree. C. in the humidified incubator with 5% CO.sub.2 for
culture. The sorted subpopulations, "PIP-positive (PIP-pos)" and
"PIP-negative (PIP-neg)" cells, were re-analyzed by FCA (as above)
at passage 3 for further confirmation of their heterogeneity.
[0307] Determination of Saturation Dose in Flow Cytometry:
[0308] Approximately 5 million cells each of PIP-pos (sorted) and
PC3-flu were labeled as above with varying doses of compound #. The
cells were washed twice with ice cold KRB buffer and fixed with 2%
paraformaldehyde (ice cold). The samples were stored on ice and
protected from light till the FCA was done. Singlets were gated as
above in a plot of SSC vs. FSC to exclude the aggregates. Standard
gating was used on X-axis (Fl-1) for analysis of stained cells in
all the doses.
[0309] PC3-flu, PC3-PIP, and LNCaP cells were treated with compound
YC-VIII-36, and analyzed using fluorescence activated cell sorting
(FACS) to determine the percentage of cells expressing PSMA on the
cell surface. FIGS. 23A-23C show FACS analysis showing the percent
subpopulation of PSMA positive cells in PC3-flu, PC3-PIP, and LNCaP
cells. As expected PC3-flu (PSMA-) cells (left) show a very small
percentage, while PC3-PIP (PSMA+, center) and LNCaP (PSMA+ right)
show greater percentages.
[0310] PC3-PIP (PSMA+) cells were sorted using FACS following
treatment with compound YC-VIII-36. FIGS. 24A-24E show cell sorting
of PC3-PIP cells, including initial percentage (top center), and
after 3 passages of sorting (bottom). Region R2 indicates positive
PSMA surface expression, as indicated by binding compound
YC-VIII-36. The results show an increase in the percentage of PSMA
expressing cells following three rounds of cell sorting.
[0311] Determination of Detection Limit (FIGS. 25A-25F):
[0312] PIP-pos cells were mixed with 10 million of PC3-flu cells in
triplicates in different ratios--1 in 10.sup.6, 10.sup.5, 10.sup.4,
10.sup.3 and 10.sup.2 respectively. All the tubes containing cell
suspensions in complete growth media including controls [10 million
PC3-flu cells with 0% PIP-pos cells and 10 million PIP-pos cells
(100%)] were incubated with 100 nM of compound # YC-VIII-36 at
37.degree. C. in the humidified incubator with 5% CO.sub.2 as
above, with occasional stirring. The cells were washed, fixed with
2% paraformaldehyde as above and analyzed with LSRII (Becton
Dickinson, San Jose, Calif.) for the determination of detection
limit. Singlets were gated as above in a plot of SSC vs. FSC to
exclude the aggregates. 1 million total events were counted to
estimate the positively stained cells from plot of Fl-1 (X-axis)
versus Fl-2 (Y-axis). Two gates, P2 at higher intensity (103 and
above) and P3 at lower intensity (102-103) on X-axis (Fl-1) was
applied for analysis of positive cells as described in FIG. 4. All
the data were analyzed using DIVA 6.1.3 software.
* * * * *
References